Anne Landman's Collection
Dear Marcia,
Abstract
In this scathing 1993 letter, Maryland tobacco industry lobbyist Bruce Bereano castigates Marcia S. Harris, Executive Vice President of the Restaurant Association of Maryland, for the Association's new policy of supporting the statewide regulation of smoking in public places.
Typically restaurant associations adopt the position of the tobacco industry in opposing such regulations at the state level. The Restaurant Association of Maryland, however, stepped out on its own and broke with this pattern in 1993.
In her original letter to Bereano, Harris pointed out that part of the Restaurant Association's change in policy was partly due to the EPA's classification of secondhand tobacco smoke as a Group A carcinogen and the ensuing state legislation emerging after that classification. She explained also that the Association changed its stand in part because "a 'patchwork' of contradictory [smoking] regulations across the state would create an administrative nightmare" for chain restaurants and would confuse customers. She also said that until a statewide law was passed, the Association would continue to oppose local smoking restrictions. (Harris's original letter to Bereano is available at http://www.pmdocs.com/getallimg.asp'if=avpidx&DOCID=2045919780/9781 )This list of reasons did not appease Bereano.
Bereano's hostility towards Harris and the restaurant association's new policy of embracing statewide smoke-free laws is palpable: "Personally, I am not happy or please to receive this letter...I thought we were working closely together...There is, in my opinion, absolutely no reason or excuse for what you did...I am not happy at all [with the Maryland Restaurant Association's revised position] and opposing interest groups will use your new position against my clients [the Tobacco Institute]. This also makes me look and feel foolish after all the efforts, the financial resources and commitment to this unique and successful voluntary [Accommodation] program in which I and my staff have spent a lot of time over the years working on...I would never treat you that way! Thanks for nothing."
Bereano's letter reveals the hostility that restaurant associations may face from the tobacco industry if they fail to do the industry's bidding and oppose state-wide smoking restrictions, despite the fact that such measures may actually benefit restaurants.
User-Contributed Notes
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February 23, 1993
Ms. Marcia S. Harris Executive Vice President Restaurant Association of Maryland 7113 Ambassador Road Baltimore, Maryland 21207
Dear Marcia,
I write in response to your February 17, 1993 letter on behalf of the Restaurant Association of Maryland. I have forwarded a copy to my client, the Tobacco Institute, as well as Philip Morris, USA, and the RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company for their consideration and any comments.
Personally I am not happy or pleased to receive this letter. What concerns me the most is that the Restaurant Association of Maryland discussed and took this new position without _first_ notifying and giving its allies and friends in the tobacco industry and myself an opportunity to be included and heard beforehand. My clients and its member companies and I would never do that to your association.
I thought we were working closely together, in concert and coordination. My client and I and the tobacco companies certainly have been totally responsive to you and your organization and not just financially.
There is, in my personal opinion, absolutely _no_ reason or excuse for what you did -- no need to rush to a new position statement. If you are working in an alliance and coordination [sic] manner with others there is an obligation and responsibility I personally believe to give and take and discuss matters before and not after the fact.
I am not happy at all and opposing interest groups will use your new position against my clients. This also makes me look and feel foolish after all the efforts, the financial resources and commitment to this unique and successful voluntary program, in which I and my staff have spent a lot of time over the years working on, that you just go ahead and take this action without informing and talking to me in advance. I would never treat you that way! Thanks for nothing.
Sincerely,
Bruce L. Bereano
- Company
- Philip Morris
- Author
- Bereano, Bruce C. (Attorney & tobacco industry lobbyist, Maryland)Longstanding tobacco industry lobbyist in Maryland, worked on behalf of the Tobacco Institute.
- Recipient
- Harris, Marcia (Executive VP, Restaurant Assoc. of Maryland, 1993)Wrote a letter to Tobacco Institute Lobbyist Bruce Bereano in 1993 saying the Restaurant Assoc. of Maryland favored statewide legislation to regulate smoking in public places to prevent a "patchwork" of local ordinances statewide. Received a scathing letter back that concluded by saying line, "Thanks for nothing."
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