Anne Landman's Collection
Memorandum to David Laufer of Philip Morris from Jim Overstreet of Cohn & Wolfe, 1995
Abstract
A portion of this memo sent to David Laufer (Communications Director) at Philip Morris shows intent to use PM's "It's the Law" (youth access) program participants to oppose a proposed retail fee which would fund monitoring of tobacco sales to youth.
This adds to the evidence showing that the tobacco industry's "youth access" programs actually work against public health goals.
Fields
- Notes
Cohn & Wolfe is a public relations company specializing in "crisis management" (http://www.cohnandwolfe.com)
http://www.pmdocs.com/PDF/2044270319_0320.PDF
- Quotes
[From the second page of the document, under the section entitled "This Month"]
"--We may try to use 'It's The Law' spokespeople in Alabama to combat proposed retail fee which will be used to hire more enforcement personnel for crackdown on sales to minors."
- Company
- Philip Morris
- Author
- Overstreet, Jim
- Recipient
- Laufer, David (PM Regional Dir. of Gov't Affairs '93-94,)Philip Morris 1993-94- Regional Director, Government Affairs 1995-96 - Communications Director 1997-99 (current?) Vice President, State Government Affairs
TI Communications; later, as employee of Burson Marstellar PR firm, Humber became president and CEO of National Smokers Alliance, a Philip Morris "smokers rights" front group.
Philip Morris
1993-94- Regional Director, Government Affairs
1995-96 - Communications Director
1997-99 (current?) Vice President, State Government Affairs
Program to encourage tobacco retailers to check identification for age of purchasers, and to post PM-supplied signage indicating that they would do so.
1994 National Smoker's Alliance 1994 - to present. Front group formed by Philip Morris Tobacco Company to oppose smoke-free laws without its corporate involvement being detected.
Designed to stave off further legislated marketing restrictions
Document Images
Ap r, 27. 1995 2: 20PM No, 0548 P. 2
MEMORANDUM
TO: David Laufer
FROM: Jim Overstreet
Date: April 27, 1995
RE: April Report
---------------------- -------------- . ......____-------- - --- ------ -----.....
Lunch with David Black, Editor of the Atlanta Business Chronicle, Itm influential
business publication in the city. Among the subjects discussed was the Atlanta
Accommodation Program/New York City smoking ban, Florida's SB2110 and its
chilling effect on business climate, Smokers' Rights legislation and PM
advertising series. He will be an advocate when business is threatened.
* Phone meeting with Phil Gailey, Editor of the St. Petersburg Times, about
Florida Supreme Court Decision upholding government's rights to deny
employment to smoking applicants. Column protesting that decision will
probably be forthcoming after the legislature adjourns. Galley has been a mild
advocate in the past for some of our Issues.
* Lunch with Dick Williams, Atlanta Journal Columnist who is a major advocate of
personal rights and responsibilities. Pitched Dick on the New York smoking ban
v/v Atlanta's Accommodation Program. He is sympathetic but wants to wait a
month or two to judge NY results. He has been as close to an advocate on most
issues as we have had in the past.
* Meetings with Jim Wooten, Editor of the Atlanta Journal and Associate Martha
Ezzard, regarding the realities of the failed Georgia preemption move last month.
Had similar meeting with Constitution Associate Editor Jay Bookman.
Bookman remains unconvinced any such legislation is needed, even if it sets no
ceiling year such as the Georgia proposal did. Wooten is willing to hear more
throughout the year. Discussed the New York situation as well. They were all
unclear as to the legislative guidelines. Bookman supported us on Smoker's
Rights initiative in the past and we will approach him with the Florida decision.
225 PEACHTREE STREET, N.E.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303
404,688.5900
404, 525 t 98d RAx
Ap r. 27. 1995 2: 20PM No, 0548 P, 3
= Held initial discussions with Hartsfield Airport staff about formal announcement of
completion of the concourse smoking rooms.
; Held similar initial discussions about announcement support with Tom
Humber/NSA.
* Held meeting with the Georgia AgriBusiness council, concerning the proposed
Olympic Agricultural show and the role which PM and the tobacco industry
could play. Group meets again on May 17. David Laufer and Jim Overstreet
may want to attend.
This Month
* Welcome South Center, the SE RegionaUFederai information facility in
downtown Atlanta, will officially open. The Accommodation Program is a
sponsor and we will be briefing media on the program as a part of the opening
effort.
~ Preemption effort in Alabama.
* NYC Smoking ban early results (if we can get them ).
* We may try to use "It's The Law" spokespeople in Alabama to combat
proposed retail fee which will be used to hire more enforcement personnel for
crackdown on sales to minors.
Note: Sean Hannity, WGST radio talk show host, is not tobacco-friendly but just the
opposite. He should be removed from the list of Third Party contacts. He would
be reluctant even on the most Libertarian of issues.
