Abstract
Ellen Merlo, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Philip Morris, gives quite revealing speeches. This speech describes Philip Morris' strategy and political activities in the New England states. In it, Merlo directly links Philip Morris' "Accommodation Program" to thr company's enacting of pre-emption laws at the state level. She even runs the words together into a single term, "Accommodation/Pre-emption." Merlo gives a complete nuts-and-bolts run down of what she refers to as "our preemption strategy" and "our preemption bills," boldly claiming company ownership of this novel political interference strategy that effectively stops people from taking action on smoking and health issues in their own communities. Merlo tells us PM's goal to enact their preemption laws in all 50 states. She tells us about PM's strategy to reign in boards of health, whose free-standing power to enact regulations PM fears. She also tells us that Philip Morris is not above pressing their own sales force, employees and even external employees at Kraft and Miller Beer, into taking political action on their behalf, and she makes clear that they also use the grocers associations and restaurant associations to do their bidding. According to Merlo, even your friendly local convenience store owner may actually be the eyes and ears of the Philip Morris Tobacco Company, reporting back on health-related efforts in your town. Documents like these reveal how deeply this corporation is involved in co-opting the democratic process to stop public health measures, right down to the street corner level in little cities and towns throughout the country. But then, they also tell us where WE can be most successful at getting around them, too.
Fields
- Quotes
...It never ceases to impress me how willing the members of the (Philip Morris) sales force are to go above and beyond the call of duty in helping us fight our political battles, and how effective you are once you get into the fight. In addition, we felt that this issue [a proposed Federal Excise Tax increase] was so critical to the entire company that members of the corporate affairs staff went into the field to mobilize employees at Miller and Kraft General Foods... ...Our top priority in fighting the proliferation of smoking bans and restrictions can be summed up in two words: "ACCOMMODATION" and "PREEMPTION." "ACCOMMODATION" means that, as an alternative to smoking bans, we support reasonable accommodation for both smokers and non-smokers...In just a moment, I'll fill you in on the Accommodation program... First, though, let me say a word about our preemption strategy. Accommodation/Pre-emption laws are laws at the state level, and they are composed of two basic elements: first, they regulate smoking in a way that provides for reasonable accommodation of both smokers and non-smokers....second, they supersede, or "pre-empt" bans or other restrictions at the local level. Because these laws have the effect of making accommodation standard policy throughout the state, we refer to them as "accommodation/pre-emption" laws. So far, over the past few years, we have passed some form of accommodation/pre-emption legislation in 29 states...One of PM USA's most important political objectives for the coming year and into the future is to obtain some form of Accommodation/Pre-emption in all 50 states. As we strive to enact Accommodation/Pre-emption in the state legislatures, we are promoting accommodation in the private sector through the Accommodation program...Program participants display the distinctive green and red symbol to inform potential customers of their accommodation policy. ...Sales force members who have become ambassadors for the Accommodation program have been essential in helping us spread the word to businesses in their area. ..ASSIST funding gives the antis in Maine and other states deep pockets to lobby for smoking and marketing restrictions on the local level. The presence of ASSIST funds makes enacting smoking accommodation and marketing pre-emption priorities for us in Maine during 1995. The priorities and strategies for New Hampshire are nearly identical to those in Maine.... ...We will be working with the lodging and restaurant association, and using the Accommodation program to push for smoking pre-emption. And we will be working to enact state-wide marketing preemption... We already have state-wide preemption in Vermont, but it's not exactly what we had in mind....We will be attempting to add exemptions to the state smoking law, softening it wherever we can....We will monitor the state closely, using sales force member and retail outlets where possible, and attempt to oppose any local advertising bans or marketing restrictions as they come up. In Massachusetts, the Pre-emption/Accommodation situation at the state level can best be described as a stalemate....As a result, virtually all of the action on smoking and tobacco marketing is at the local level, precisely the situation preemption is meant to avoid....In this situation, with statewide pre-emption at a standstill and local activity rampant, we realized we had to have some way to control the bleeding. We needed an effective system to let us know when and where local laws were being proposed, either at town meetings, in the local city councils or by Boards of Health. Working with the New England Convenience Store Association and other tobacco companies, we developed a network whereby local retailers could assist us by providing information on legislative activities in every Massachusetts Community. We've discovered that if we have enough advance notice...and get somebody there for the public hearing, we can make a difference. Activity on the local level has prompted pro-active state legislation to help make our local battles more manageable. For example, we're supporting a bill that would require local boards of health to send a legal notice through the mail to every business in town when they plan to propose a local smoking or tobacco marketing restriction. Historically, the farther we get from the ground, the better chance we have a defeating a proposal. At the level of the town meeting, we're almost always killed. At the board of health level, we do better. At the city council level, we do very well. And at the state level we do great. So, while our pre-emption bill is tied up in the legislature, we're supporting state legislation to require that all smoking and cigarette marketing ordinances at the local level must go through the city council. We call this "venue restriction language" and it might prove to be the only type of preemption we can reasonably expect to get in Massachusetts.
- Company
- Philip Morris
- Author
- Ellen Merlo, Philip Morris
- Region
- United States
- Type
- Speech
- Operation/Project
- Accommodation
- Accommodation/Preemption
- Subject
- Bars
- Local level
- OSHA regulations
- Political interference
- preemption
- smoking restrictions
- workplace
- Workplace restictions
- accommodation
Document Images
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VU
[ CORPAF.TSC - pg. 1
10/24 6PM
ELLEN MERLO
~*x
AS YOU ALL KNOW,
PHILIP MORRIS U.S.A. HAS ACHIEVED THE LARGEST
MARKET SHARE IN ITS HISTORY,
THANKS IN LARGE PART TO THE EFFORTS OF EVERYONE
HERE AS WELL AS YOUR COLLEAGUES ACROSS THE
COUNTRY.
IN SPITE OF THE COMPANY'S SUCCESS IN THE BUSINESS
AREA,
WE ARE BEING CHALLENGED AS NEVER BEFORE
BY AN INCREASINGLY HOSTILE SOCIAL, LEGISLATIVE AND
REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT.
LET ME SET THE STAGE FOR MY COMMENTS BY RUNNING A
VIDEOTAPE THAT HIGHLIGHTS SOME OF THE MANY
POLITICAL CHALLENGES WE ARE FACING:
[RUN VIDEOTAPE]
THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THE CHALLENGES ARE SERIOUS,
BUT THEY ARE ALSO MANAGEABLE.
TODAY, I'D LIKE TO FILL YOU IN ON WHAT WE ARE
DOING TO MANAGE THESE AND OTHER MAJOR ISSUES.
I'LL BEGIN BY GIVING YOU AN OVERVIEW OF
OUR ISSUES
AND THE STRATEGIES WE'VE DEVELOPED FOR DEALING
WITH THEM.
NEXT, I'LL COVER SOME OF THE POLITICAL AND
REGULATORY ISSUES SPECIFIC
TO REGION I,
AND RUN DOWN SOME OF THE THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP
US WIN THESE BATTLES.
THEN,
AT THE CONCLUSION
OF MY REMARKS,
I'LL ASK BOB REESE FROM PHILIP MORRIS'S
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[ CORPAF.TSC - pg. 2
WASHINGTON RELATIONS OFFICE TO SAY A FEW WORDS
ABOUT THE SITUATION RIGHT HERE IN THE BELTWAY.
[PAUSE]
ONE OF THE MOST SERIOUS ISSUES FACING THE INDUSTRY
RIGHT NOW IS A PROPOSAL BY THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION -- OSHA -- WHICH WOULD
BAN SMOKING IN WORKPLACES ACROSS THE COUNTRY,
EXCEPT IN SPECIAL, SEPARATELY VENTILATED ROOMS.
THE OSHA REGULATIONS WOULD IN EFFECT BE A
NATIONWIDE WORKPLACE SMOKING BAN.
ESPECIALLY TROUBLING IS OSHA'S BROAD DEFINITION OF
A "WORKPLACE."
IT INCLUDES ANY FACILITY WHERE ONE OR MORE PERSONS
IS EMPLOYED -- RESTAURANTS,
BARS,
TAVERNS,
HOTEL AND MOTEL ROOMS,
POSSIBLY EVEN AUTOMOBILES AND PRIVATE HOMES.
FOR EXAMPLE,
IF YOU HAVE A PLUMBER COME IN TO FIX YOUR SINK,
YOUR HOME COULD BE CONSIDERED A "WORKPLACE" AND
SMOKING WOULD HAVE TO BE BANNED WHILE THE "WORKER"
WAS PRESENT.
OUR GOAL IS TO HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE OSHA
RULE-MAKING PROCESS TO INSURE THAT ANY REGULATIONS
ISSUED BY THE AGENCY INCLUDE SOME FORM OF
ACCOMMODATION FOR THE MILLIONS OF ADULTS WHO
CHOOSE TO SMOKE.
I'M PLEASED TO SAY THAT OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS
.WE AND THE MANY THOUSANDS OF AMERICANS WHO OPPOSE
THIS KIND OF HEAVY-HANDED REGULATION HAVE BEEN
HAVING A CONSIDERABLE IMPACT ON THE OSHA
REGULATORY PROCESS.
THE "BARS" ARE COMPOSED OF STACKS OF MAIL.
THE GREATEST NUMBER OF COMMENTS RECEIVED BY OSHA
ON ANY ISSUE WAS ABOUT 1,200.
ON THIS ISSUE OSHA HAS RECEIVED 250,000 COMMENTS
WITH THE GREAT MAJORITY OPPOSING THE WORKPLACE
SMOKING BAN.
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[ CORPAF.TSC - pg. 3
SOME OF THESE COMMENTS CAME FROM OUR EMPLOYEES AND
FROM SMOKERS WHO WERE ALERTED TO THE ISSUE THROUGH
OUR SMOKERS ADVOCATE NEWSLETTER AND OTHER
COMMUNICATIONS.
MANY MORE SIMPLY CAME FROM AMERICANS, SMOKERS AND
NON-SMOKERS,ALIKE, WHO BELIEVE THE AGENCY HAS GONE
TOO FAR.
ON SEPTEMBER 20, OSHA BEGAN HOLDING HEARINGS ON
THE ISSUE.
THE HEARINGS WERE ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED TO CONTINUE
THROUGH DECEMBER 5.
BUT SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE ASKED TO TESTIFY THEY HAVE
BEEN EXTENDED THROUGH JANUARY.
FOLLOWING THE HEARINGS,
OSHA WILL RELEASE A REVISED PROPOSAL.
ONCE AGAIN THERE WILL BE A COMMENT PERIOD.
WE WILL KEEP YOU INFORMED,
AND LET YOU KNOW IF WE NEED LETTERS -- EITHER FOR
OR AGAINST --
THE REVISED PROPOSAL.
LAST YEAR,
WHEN RUMORS OF PRESIDENT CLINTON'S HEALTH CARE
PLAN WERE FIRST CIRCULATING IN WASHINGTON,
ONE SCENARIO WAS THAT THE PRESIDENT WOULD ASK FOR
A $2.00 PER PACK INCREASE IN THE FEDERAL CIGARETTE
EXCISE TAX --
OR FET --
TO FUND HEALTH CARE REFORM.
THOUSANDS OF LETTERS WERE RECEIVED BY THE WHITE
HOUSE FROM CONCERNED CITIZENS AROUND THE COUNTRY,
INCLUDING PM USA EMPLOYEES.
IN ADDITION,
STIFF OPPOSITION TO THE PRESIDENT'S PLAN BY OUR
ALLIES IN CONGRESS,
HELPED REDUCE THE ACTUAL PROPOSAL TO 75 CENTS A
PACK.
THIS WAS STILL FAR TOO MUCH.
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[ CORPAF.TSC - pg. 4
THE INDUSTRY ANTI-FET MARCH IN WASHINGTON WAS
EXTREMELY SUCCESSFUL,
BUT IT WAS JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG.
WHEN RUMORS OF A HUGE INCREASE BEGAN TO GATHER
STEAM, BILL CAMPBELL PUT TOGETHER A
CROSS-FUNCTIONAL GROUP TO HAMMER OUT A STRATEGY.
THE GROUP TOOK A STRATEGIC APPROACH THAT COMBINED
A REGIONAL ORGANIZATION WITH A CROSS-COMPANY
MOBILIZATION AND AN OUTREACH TO OUR VENDORS,
WHOLESALERS AND RETAIL CUSTOMERS.
I'M PLEASED TO SAY THAT WHEN THE CALL WENT OUT FOR
VOLUNTEERS TO HELP COORDINATE THIS EFFORT,
MEMBERS OF THE SALES FORCE CAME FORWARD IN LARGE
NUMBERS.
I PERSONALLY WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO
THANK ALL OF YOU WHO PARTICIPATED.
IT NEVER CEASES TO IMPRESS ME HOW WILLING THE
MEMBERS OF THE SALES FORCE ARE TO GO ABOVE AND
BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY IN HELPING US FIGHT OUR
POLITICAL BATTLES,
AND HOW EFFECTIVE YOU ARE ONCE YOU GET INTO THE
FIGHT.
IN ADDITION,
WE FELT THAT THIS ISSUE WAS SO CRITICAL TO THE
ENTIRE COMPANY THAT MEMBERS OF THE CORPORATE
AFFAIRS STAFF WENT INTO THE FIELD TO MOBILIZE
EMPLOYEES AT MILLER AND KRAFT GENERAL FOODS,
AND THEY, TOO, PROVED VERY RESPONSIVE.
WE HELD LARGE MEETINGS IN RICHMOND AND NEW YORK
FOR THE VENDORS WHO PROVIDE PM USA WITH GOODS AND
SERVICES.
THEY QUICKLY UNDERSTOOD THAT WHEN OUR COMPANY
GETS HURT,
WE MAKE FEWER PURCHASES AND THAT HURTS THEIR
BUSINESS TOO.
ANOTHER CRITICAL SOURCE OF SUPPORT WAS OUR RETAIL
AND WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS WHO DIDN'T NEED MUCH
CONVINCING TO OPPOSE A TAX THAT WOULD
SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE THEIR SALES.
AS THESE AND OTHER PRESSURES BUILT,
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[ CORPAF.TSC - pg. 5
THE HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE LOWERED THE TAX
PROPOSAL STILL FURTHER BY APPROVING AN INCREASE OF
45 CENTS TO BE PHASED IN OVER FIVE YEARS.
AN ALTERNATE HEALTH CARE PACKAGE,
PUT TOGETHER BY SENATE DEMOCRATS ALSO CALLED FOR A
45 CENT TAX INCREASE TO BE PHASED IN OVER FIVE
YEARS.
AS YOU KNOW,
HEALTH CARE REFORM IS OFF THE TABLE FOR THIS YEAR.
THE ULTIMATE OUTCOME IS ANYBODY'S GUESS.
WE REMAIN HOPEFUL THAT OUTRAGEOUS CALLS FOR $2.00
PER PACK OR EVEN 75 CENTS ARE A THING OF THE PAST.
OUR POSITION CONTINUES TO BE -- AND WILL
ALWAYS BE --
THAT SMOKERS SHOULD NOT BE SINGLED OUT TO PAY
SPECIAL TAXES FOR PROGRAMS THAT BENEFIT EVERYBODY.
BUT I THINK YOU'LL AGREE THAT WHAT
WE WERE ABLE TO ACHIEVE --
45 CENTS OVER
5 YEARS --
WAS INCREDIBLE COMPARED WITH WHERE WE STARTED.
HOWEVER,
WE COULD BE EARMARKED AGAIN NEXT YEAR.
AND THERE IS NOW AN EVEN GREATER THREAT ON THE
STATE LEVEL, AS THE STATES RUSH TO PUSH THROUGH
THEIR EXCISE TAX INCREASES BEFORE THE FEDS DO.
LAST FEBRUARY,
FDA COMMISSIONER KESSLER STATED THAT HIS AGENCY
WAS ACCUMULATING EVIDENCE TO CLASSIFY CIGARETTES
AS A DRUG.
KESSLER IMPLIED THAT IF THE FDA DETERMINED THAT
CIGARETTES WERE
A DRUG,
THE AGENCY COULD ASSUME REGULATORY AUTHORITY OVER
TOBACCO,,
AND PERHAPS BAN IT ENTIRELY.
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[ CORPAF.TSC - pg. 6
IN MAKING THIS STATEMENT,
KESSLER BROKE WITH THE VIEWS OF EVERY PREVIOUS FDA
COMMISSIONER,
MANY OF WHOM HAD EXPRESSLY STATED THAT CIGARETTES
WERE NOT A DRUG AND THAT THE FDA HAD NO REGULATORY
AUTHORITY OVER THEM.
ALTHOUGH PHILIP MORRIS BELIEVES THERE ARE NO
REASONABLE GROUNDS FOR FDA JURISDICTION OVER
TOBACCO,
WE INTEND TO COOPERATE FULLY
WITH THE AGENCY'S INVESTIGATION AND, IN FACT,
ARE ALREADY DOING SO.
FOR EXAMPLE,
TO REBUT SUGGESTIONS BY THE FDA,
LATER REPEATED BY ABC ON "DAY ONE," THAT
MANUFACTURERS "SPIKE" THEIR CIGARETTES WITH
NICOTINE,
PHILIP MORRIS VOLUNTARILY OPENED ITS RICHMOND
PLANT TO FDA INSPECTORS.
THEY WERE ABLE TO SEE FOR THEMSELVES THAT THE
CHARGES WERE GROUNDLESS.
AS WE CONTINUE THIS POLICY OF COOPERATION,
WE WILL ALSO CONTINUE TO FORCEFULLY ARGUE OUR
POSITION THAT THERE IS NO REASONABLE JUSTIFICATION
FOR FDA REGULATION.
TO PUT OUR CASE IN ITS SIMPLEST TERMS, CIGARETTES
ARE NOT AN APPROPRIATE PRODUCT FOR REGULATION BY
THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION BECAUSE THEY ARE
NEITHER A FOOD NOR A DRUG.
WE BELIEVE THE ARGUMENTS AGAINST FDA REGULATION
ARE COMPELLING AND WE WILL WORK DILIGENTLY TO MAKE
SURE THEY ARE HEARD.
NOW LET ME TURN
TO THE EPA.
AS YOU KNOW,
IN JANUARY 1993 THE AGENCY ISSUED A REPORT
CLAIMING THAT ENVIRONMENTAL TOBACCO SMOKE --
OR ETS --
POSES A HEALTH RISK TO NON-SMOKERS.
DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE EPA USED FAULTY SCIENCE
AND IMPROPER SCIENTIFIC PROCEDURES TO ARRIVE AT
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[ CORPAF.TSC - pg. 7
ITS CONCLUSION, THE REPORT IS STILL BEING USED TO
JUSTIFY HARSH PUBLIC SMOKING BANS.
PM USA UNDERTOOK TWO INITIATIVES TO ALERT
LEGISLATORS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO THE FLAWS IN
THE EPA REPORT.
FIRST, WE JOINED WITH SIX OTHER MEMBERS OF THE
TOBACCO COMMUNITY IN FILING A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE
EPA IN FEDERAL COURT.
THE PURPOSE OF THE SUIT IS TO HAVE THEIR REPORT
DECLARED NULL AND VOID WHICH WOULD RESULT IN THE
AGENCY WITHDRAWING ITS CLASSIFICATION OF ETS AS A
"CARCINOGEN."
SECONDLY,
WE LAUNCHED A NATIONWIDE ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN IN
MAJOR NEWSPAPERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
THE ADS REPRINTED AN ARTICLE FROM FORBES MEDIA
CRITIC POINTING TO MAJOR FLAWS IN THE EPA'S
ANALYSIS OF THE SCIENTIFIC DATA.
RECENTLY,
THE COURT DENIED
THE EPA'S MOTION TO DISMISS THE SUIT AND THE CASE
IS NOW SCHEDULED TO PROCEED.
ALTHOUGH IT IS DIFFICULT TO PREDICT THE OUTCOME OF
A LEGAL ACTION
OF THIS KIND,
WE BELIEVE OUR LEGAL AND SCIENTIFIC ARGUMENTS ARE
STRONG AND THAT WE HAVE A VERY GOOD CHANCE OF
WINNING.
CONGRESSMAN HENRY WAXMAN IS ATTEMPTING TO ACHIEVE
.A NATIONAL INDOOR SMOKING BAN THROUGH LEGISLATION,
SPECIFICALLY THROUGH THE SO-CALLED
"SMOKE FREE ENVIRONMENT ACT"
HE PROPOSED LAST YEAR.
THE BILL WOULD PROHIBIT SMOKING IN ALL
NON-RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS REGULARLY ENTERED BY TEN
OR MORE PEOPLE PER WEEK UNLESS SPECIAL SMOKING
ROOMS WITH SEPARATE VENTILATION WERE PROVIDED.
IN EFFECT,
THE WAXMAN BILL WOULD HAVE THE SAME IMPACT AS THE
OSHA REGULATION,
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j CORPAF.TSC - pg. 8
EXCEPT FOR TWO MAIN DIFFERENCES:
(1) WAXMAN'S BILL APPLIES NOT JUST TO THE
WORKPLACE,
BUT TO EVERY INDOOR AREA; AND
(2) WAXMAN'S RESTRICTIONS,
IF ENACTED,
WOULD BE PUT IN PLACE MUCH EARLIER THAN OSHA'S.
ALTHOUGH REPRESENTATIVE WAXMAN CONTINUES TO HOLD
HIS HEARINGS, PROHIBITION IS NOT POPULAR WITH
EITHER LEGISLATORS OR THE AMERICAN PUBLIC,
AND WE DO NOT THINK HE WILL BE SUCCESSFUL WITH HIS
LEGISLATION AS WRITTEN.
MORE SERIOUS THAN CONGRESSMAN WAXMAN'S LEGISLATION
IS THE MOUNTING WAVE OF SMOKING RESTRICTIONS AND
BANS THAT HAVE BEEN PROPOSED IN STATES AND
MUNICIPALITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN RESPONSE TO
THE EPA REPORT ON ETS.
OUR TOP PRIORITY IN FIGHTING THE PROLIFERATION OF
SMOKING BANS AND RESTRICTIONS CAN BE SUMMED UP IN
TWO WORDS: "ACCOMMODATION" AND "PREEMPTION."
"ACCOMMODATION" MEANS THAT,
AS AN ALTERNATIVE
TO SMOKING BANS,
WE SUPPORT REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION FOR BOTH
SMOKERS AND NON-SMOKERS,
IN SEPARATELY DESIGNATED AREAS WHERE IT IS
APPROPRIATE.
IN JUST A MOMENT, I'LL FILL YOU IN ON THE
ACCOMMODATION PROGRAM WHICH HELPS TO PROMOTE THIS
COURTEOUS AND SENSIBLE POLICY.
FIRST, THOUGH,
LET ME SAY A WORD ABOUT OUR PRE-EMPTION STRATEGY.
ACCOMMODATION/
PRE-EMPTION LAWS ARE LAWS AT THE STATE LEVEL AND
THEY ARE COMPOSED OF TWO BASIC ELEMENTS:
FIRST,
THEY REGULATE SMOKING IN A WAY THAT PROVIDES FOR
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION OF BOTH SMOKERS AND
NON-SMOKERS...
SECOND,
THEY SUPERSEDE,
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j CORPAF.TSC - pg. 9
OR "PRE-EMPT,"
BANS OR OTHER RESTRICTIONS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.
BECAUSE THESE LAWS HAVE THE EFFECT OF MAKING
ACCOMMODATION STANDARD POLICY THROUGHOUT THE
STATE,
WE REFER TO THEM AS "ACCOMMODATION/
PRE-EMPTION" LAWS.
SO FAR, OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, WE HAVE PASSED
SOME FORM OF ACCOMMODATION/PRE-EM PTION
LEGISLATION IN 19 STATES, HIGHLIGHTED IN YELLOW ON
THE MAP.
ONE OF PM USA'S MOST IMPORTANT POLITICAL
OBJECTIVES FOR THE COMING YEAR AND INTO THE FUTURE
IS TO OBTAIN SOME FORM OF ACCOMMODATION/
PRE-EMPIION IN ALL 50 STATES.
AS WE STRIVE TO ENACT ACCOMMODATION/
PRE- EMPTION IN THE STATE LEGISLATURES, WE ARE
PROMOTING ACCOMMODATION IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR
THROUGH THE ACCOMMODATION PROGRAM THE
ACCOMMODATION PROGRAM ENROLLS BUSINESSES THAT WANT
TO MAKE A COMMITMENT TO SATISFYING ALL OF THEIR
CUSTOMERS -- NON-SMOKERS AND SMOKERS ALIKE.
PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS DISPLAY THE DISTINCTIVE GREEN
AND RED SYMBOL TO INFORM POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS OF
THEIR ACCOMMODATING POLICY.
AS OF TODAY,
OVER 12,000 BUSINESSES ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE
TAKING PART IN THE PROGRAM,
AND WE EXPECT THAT NUMBER TO RISE SUBSTANTIALLY IN
THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.
WE ALSO ARE HAPPY TO REPORT THAT REGIONAL
RESTAURANT CHAINS SEEM TO BE USING THE PROGRAM
MORE AND MORE.
IN FACT,
ONE OF OUR NEWEST PARTICIPANTS IS TGI FRIDAY'S
HERE IN THE NORTHEAST.
SALES FORCE MEMBERS WHO HAVE BECOME AMBASSADORS
FOR THE ACCOMMODATION PROGRAM HAVE BEEN ESSENTIAL
IN HELPING US SPREAD THE WORD TO BUSINESSES IN
THEIR AREA.
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[
CORPAF.TSC - pg. 10
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE AN EMPLOYEE AMBASSADOR FOR
THE ACCOMMODATION PROGRAM,
PLEASE CALL THIS 800 NUMBER TO OBTAIN BROCHURES
AND DECALS TO DISTRIBUTE TO HOSPITALITY
ESTABLISHMENTS IN YOUR AREA.
NOW THAT I HAVE GIVEN YOU AN OVERVIEW OF SOME OF
THE POLITICAL CHALLENGES AND OUR STRATEGIES FOR
MEETING THEM,
LET ME TAKE YOU ON A SHORT TOUR OF THE STATES IN
REGION I AND GIVE YOU A PREVIEW OF WHAT'S IN STORE
IN THE 1995 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
PLEASE NOTE THAT, TO KEEP THIS PRESENTATION AS
BRIEF AND CONCISE AS POSSIBLE,
WE ARE ONLY ADDRESSING THE MAJOR ISSUES IN EACH
STATE.
IF YOU HAVE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT ISSUES NOT
ADDRESSED IN THIS PRESENTATION,
YOU CAN DISCUSS THEM BY CONTACTING THE GOVERNMENT
AFFAIRS REGIONAL DIRECTOR IN YOUR AREA.
A MAJOR TAX INCREASE WILL BE PROPOSED NEXT SESSION
IN MAINE TO PAY FOR HEALTH CARE REFORM.
WE WILL BE PULLING OUT ALL THE STOPS TO SHOW HOW A
STEEP TAX INCREASE WILL HURT MAINE'S ECONOMY.
WE WILL RELEASE CROSS-BORDER STUDIES TO
DEMONSTRATE THAT IF THE TAX GOES UP, CANADIANS WHO
BOUGHT THEIR CIGARETTES IN MAINE MAY STOP.
JUST AS MAINE RESIDENTS WILL BEGIN BUYING THEIR
CIGARETTES IN NEW HAMPSHIRE,
WHERE THE TAX IS ALREADY $1.20 PER CARTON LESS.
WE WILL RELEASE A HEALTH CARE REFORM FINANCE STUDY
DEMONSTRATING THAT CIGARETTE TAXES ARE THE LEAST
RELIABLE AND MOST REGRESSIVE METHOD OF FUNDING
HEALTH CARE REFORM PROGRAMS.
WE'LL ALSO BE WORKING WITH ALLIES SUCH AS THE
MAINE GROCERS ASSOCIATION TO ENCOURAGE
OPPOSITION TO ANY TAX INCREASE.
MAINE IS AN ASSIST STATE,
WHICH MEANS IT GETS FEDERAL FUNDS TO REDUCE THE
INCIDENCE OF SMOKING.
-10-
