Tobacco Documents Online

Coalition for A Smoke Free Colorado

Abstract

This 1993 email from Philip Morris Issues Manager Josh Slavitt shows PM hiding in the shadows and investigating Colorado tobacco control groups and individuals, searching for information they can exploit or use to make trouble for these groups. Working through a surrogate public relations agency, Slavitt gave strict orders to hide PM's involvement in these activities. Slavitt instructed the Denver Public Relations firm of Russell, Karsh and Hagan (the contractor doing the investigating) to "be careful that nothing on [RKH employee] Lindsay's materials references her firm, or contains any other references to PM -- if there is a cover note, shred it. Please remember not to use a PM return address, or anything which indicates that he info emanated from us--PM postal stamp, etc."

Fields

Quotes

I talked with Lindsay Steyer at Russell, Karsh and Hagen (sp?) and gaver her your name. She will collect all of the state agencies, universities and organizations involved in anti-tobacco activities in Colorado and forward them to you. If you need to talk with her she can be reached at 303/370-8088 (if you can't reach her an dhave her leave a message do not leave any indication as to why you are calling).

I emphasized to her that she should "throw in the kitchen sink" as we never know what Stuart might turn up on even an obscure organization or individual.

Once you receive this information from Lindsay, please forward it to Stuart Rabinowetz so that he can commence checking federal agency financial support for these groups.

Please also forward a copy to Jim Bennett, be careful to ensure that nothing on Linsday's materials references her firm, or contains any other references to PM--if there is a cover note, shred it. Please remember not to use a PM return address, or any thing whic indicates that the info emanated from us--PM postal stamp, etc.

When Stuart's report comes back please ensure that a copy goes to PM and that a blind copy goes to Jim.

Thank you for your assistance.

Company

Philip Morris

Author

Slavitt, Joshua (PM Issues Manager, 1992; Dir. of Policy & Programs at PMMC,)

Handled "It's the Law" program for Philip Morris

Recipient

Ostronic, J.

Region

United States

Colorado

Named Organization

PM-Philip Morris

Russell Karsh & Hagan (Denver PR firm)

Litigation

Feda/Produced

Named Person

Bennett, J.

Inmann, Pam (Reg. Dir., PM Government Affairs 1996-Colorado)

Philip Morris Government Affairs Regional Director, Colorado, c. 1996

Rabinowetz, S.

Steyer, L.

Type

EMAI, E-MAIL

Subject

public relations

corporate intelligence

public health program