Anne Landman's Collection
Five Year Plan 800000 - 840000 Book IV Smoking and Health. Part 2 of 2. Document Id 2500005953 - 2500006100.
Abstract
This Philip Morris (PM) 5-year plan describes actions PM took to address smoking and health issues around the world between 1980 and 1984. Several passages of the Plan indicate that poorer and lesser-developed countries provide more favorable markets for cigarettes for several reasons: Firstly, people who are more desperate for their survival tend to pay less attention to smoking and health, and the governments and medical establishments of these countries tend to follow suit: [From Page 64]:
"Smoking and Health is not yet considered to be a crucial issue by the Egyptian Tobacco Industry...and Health is not an issue among the general Egyptian populace who are more concerned with day-to-day survival and consider smoking to be one of their few pleasures in life. The health question...is not considered to be a priority by the [Egyptian] medical profession."
The poorer economies of less-developed countries also help Philip Morris because the governments of these countries are more heavily dependent on tobacco taxes for income, and thus less apt to restrict tobacco marketing, use and advertising:
From Page 65-6:
"In general, little official governmental attention has been paid to smoking and health in Africa and the African Health Ministers, where they exist, have not taken a strong stand on this issue. This is in large part because most [African] governments are preoccupied by other priorities (economic and social development), and because cigarette advertising and tax revenues are important to the African economies. Therefore, governments are not inclined to impose restrictions which might jeopardize this income."
PM also understood that if religious leaders and doctors in Africa took a strong public health stand against tobacco use, it could affect cigarette consumption "because of the mentality of the Africans":
From Pg. 66:
"Smoking and health is of little concern to the African people and it seems not to be a popular issue among them. However, if an anti-smoking campaign supported by religious leaders and/or the medical profession is developed, this could seriously affect consumption because of the mentality of the Africans, and their faith in their religious leaders and doctors."
PM also recognized that a high rate of illiteracy means a populace will rely less on printed reports for health information, which benefits the tobacco companies. The following passage discusses the high rate of illiteracy in Nigeria and how health information from the "outside" was starting to affect "the upper class" (which presumably had higher literacy rates than the general population): From Page 68:
"As not less than seventy percent of the Nigerian population is illiterate, Nigerians form their opinions on smoking and health almost exclusively on the basis of rumor and superstition. The population is becoming more aware of the allegations against smoking largely because of press coverage from outside reports. The prevalent attitude in model developed countries has some impact on the upper class..."
PM also found that increasing levels of wealth and education in underdeveloped countries tends to work against cigarette manufactuers:
"Future Developments and Their Effect on Philip Morris' Activity
As Nigeria's wealth becomes more evenly distributed among its population and a greater number of Nigerians become educated, the spill-over effect as regards smoking and health may become more evident..."
Fields
- Quotes
This is an extensive paper touching on PM activities regarding smoking and health in many countries throughout the world. Selected quotes are above. See document images for information specific to other regions/countries discussed in the report.
- Company
- Philip Morris
- Author
- Philip Morris (corporate author)
- Recipient
- Philip Morris (corporate recipient)
Fabriques de Tabac Reunies, Philip Morris Research and Development facility in Nuechatel, Switzerland. Many of the documents generated by this facility are in German or French language.
Was formed to address and reverse the global decline in social acceptability of smoking occurring in the 1970s Consisted of the major tobacco manufacturers worldwide, was created to deal with the global decline in social acceptability of smoking. ICOSI was created
Societe Nationale d'Exploitation Industrielle des Tabacs et Allumettes
Tobacco Industry law firm based in Kansas City, KS.
International organization concered with public health worldwide
1993 Started career at NCI and then went to work for the industry. Believed a safer cigarette could be made, and that there were safe threshold levels for exposure to the chemicals in cigarette smoke.
Document Images
AUSTRIA - SMOKING AND'HEALTH
Political Factors
Neither the government nor the parliament have shown a special interest in the smoking and health
issue.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Ingrid Leodolter has tried to promote anti-smoking legislation without
success
because she appears to be a weak politician and her policies are in conflict with those of the
Minister
of Finance, Mr. H. Androsch, who is also in charge of the Austrian tobacco monopoly. Also, since
legislation
is impossible without a change in the Constitution, no change in the"legislative climate against
smoking
is forecast.
Anti-Smoking Factors
Two principal groups are involved in anti-smoking activities in Austria :
Institute of Hygiene of the Vienna University ; Prof. Dr. H. Flamm, Dr. M. Kunze and Dr. M.J. Kunze
of this Institute prepared a report entitled "Smoking and Health in Austria" in 1974 at the
request of the Austrian Health Minister, Dr. Leodolter.
Kreis Schoneborn Institution, Innsbruck ; the Schoneborn organizes non-smokers events and answers
media inquiries regarding smoking and health.
In the early 1970's, the medical association was also involved in activities against smoking.
However, the
Austrian tobacco monopoly is in close contact with all of these groups and has been able to reduce
the impact.
There is little coordination between the anti-smoking forces in Austria and those on the
international level
with the exception of Prof. F. Schmidt, the German anti-smoking zealot. In general, there is
considerable
spill-over of anti-smoking information from Germany.
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Industry Factors
The Austrian tobacco monopoly, Austria Tabakwerke AG (ATWAG), is quite well organized to combat the
smoking
and health issue. ATWAG has good access to all of the media, prominent scientists and MDs and
members of gov-
ernment and parliament. Philip Morris has actively supplied ATWAG with all available information in
support
of its efforts on the smoking and health_question.
Ideological and Social Factors
In general, the Austrian populace is aware of the claimed harmfulness of smoking. Nevertheless, the
Austrians
are individualists and are equally concerned with maintaining and enjoying their pleasures in life,
one of
which is smoking.
Present Situation and Its Effect on Philip Morris' Activity
All tobacco products are manufactured, imported and distributed through the Austrian tobacco
monopoly and only
ATWAG is allowed to advertise these products. However, advertising for imported brands is not
allowed.
In the 1974 report on smoking and health in Austria issued by the Health Minister, Dr. Leodolter,
the usual
recommendations against smoking were included : advertising restrictions, health education in
schools,
"protection" of non-smokers, tax increases, etc. The publication of the 1974 report resulted in :
a voluntary advertising code by ATWAG renouncing the use of broadcast media advertising (considered
to be too expensive anyway)
an agreement in 1976 between the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Health to print cigarette
constituent levels on the packs
the pushing of manufacturing and sales of lower "tar" and nicotine cigarettes.
In addition, no advertising of foreign cigarettes is permitted. Local brands must follow the German
advertising code.
Recently, public smoking has emerged as a significant issue although to date no official
restrictions
have ensued.
Since Philip Morris depends entirely on ATWAG for its marketing and sales activities, growth in this
market depends mainly on good personal relations between Philip Morris and ATWAG executives.
Future Developments and Their Effect on Philip Morris' Activity
No major change in the present situation in Austria can be anticipated. However, any increased
spill-over
effect from other countries concerning the health question might force the Austrian Government to
reconsider
its position. Because of the good relationship which exists between Philip Morris and ATWAG and the
impor-
tance..of tourism, Philip Morris' leading brands, especially Marlboro, should continue to grow in
this market.
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AUSTRIA - ACTION PLAN
ACTION
1. National Association
Non-existent
2. Individual PM Action
Close contact maintained with Monopoly which
has good contacts with key political and
business 1.eaders.
Provision and translation of pertinent papers,
facts sheets and other resource materials
including audio visual presentations for use
by Monopoly in their lobbying and PR activities.
Improved information sources and outlets
Improved national implementation of corporate PR
policy
Corporate Affairs Seminar held to brief
PR advisors with distribution of background
Materials
TIMING
On-going
On-going
On-going
On-going
June 1978
RESPONSIBILITY
PME-C.A./PM GMBH
German Verband
German Verband/
PME-C.A./PM GMBH
PME-C.A./Local PR Agency/
PM GMBH
PM GMBH/PME-C.A.
Local PR Agency
PME-C.A.
Seminar on effects of advertising to be held September 1979 PME-C.A./Marketing
with advertising agencies/pertinent PPi GMBH
management
ACTION TIMING RESPONSIBILITY
Corporate Affairs Seminar to be held to December 1979 .PME-C.A.
further brief local PR advisors/pertinent
PM GMBH management
Regular distribution of aide-memoires made On-going TLW/PME-PR
to local advisors and management responsible
for this market
3. PM Employees
Top executives - S B H seminar held with full February 1978 JMH/PI/TLW
distribu tion of resource materials
Management to be indcluded in other area in-depth At First Opportunity PME-C.A.
briefing on S & H with further distribution of
resource materials
4. Tobacco Family (Distributors, Retailers, etc.)
Presentations planned on S & H with use of At First Opportunity ATWAG (Monopoly)/
audio-visual materials etc. German Verband
5. Consumers
Campaign to inform consumers through press On-going ATWAG (Monopoly)/
articles, publicity stunts and other PR activities To Be Further Developed German Verband
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SWITZERLAND- SMOKING AND HEALTH
Political Factors
The Swiss government is considered to have a conservative attitude towards legislation against such
things as adver-
tising and a strong pref erence for maintaining democratic personal freedom is noted. Within the
authority of the
Minister of the Interior,Mr. HUrlimann, is the Service Fed"eral de la Sante Publique directed by Mr.
Frei which has
the responsiblity for public health matters coming under the Food Law including the control of
tobacco products. The
legislative attitudes of both Mr. HUrlimann and Mr. Frei are considered to be similar to that of the
government in
general. No significant change is expected in the political attitude of the Swiss government in the
near future.
One must note, however, that in March 1979 the Federal Council accepted a postulate of Mr. Schar,
member of Parliament,
asking for a reinforcement of the prescriptions of Art. 420 of the Food Law. This may lead to new
advertising restric-
tions, quantitative and/or qualitative, the Federal Council having already acted accordingly with
regard to the new alcohol
law, especially concerning distilled drinks.
Anti-Smoking Factors
In the past, health information concerning tobacco use has been handled by the Swiss League Against
Cancer. Recently,
however, a number of independent associations have grouped together forming the Swiss Association of
Non-Smokers. The
chairman of this organization, Dr. Abelin, is a well-known anti-smoking zealot and is also the
Director of the Swiss
Service of Preventive Medicine, an arm of the Service Fed'eral de la Sante Publique. Consequently,
this organization,
through Dr. Abelin, has contact with the government though his extremist views are not widely
accepted. The group has
received considerable attention in the media and appears to be well supported by the medical
profession.
It is important to note that, although the regional associations have only recently organized
themselves in a concerted
way, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Union Against Cancer (UICC) are
located in Geneva and
have well established programs against smoking.
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but rather is thought to be an outcome of increasing health consciousness. Government officials and
opinion leaders
are not especially anti-tobacco but certainly the medical profession has become so and the media
readily present
their seemingly authoritative views. Individual personal freedoms are a strong concern of the Swiss
people and
this fact has influenced the Swiss attitude towards smoking.
Present Situation and Philip Morris' Activity in the Future
Cigarette advertising in the broadcast media is prohibited on a federal level. A few communes have
also banned
poster advertising and others have placed certain regulations on such advertising.
In order to avoid governmental regulations, the ASFC created its own voluntary code of conduct under
which the
Swiss cigarette manufacturers self-regulate their advertising so as not to appeal to youth, to make
health claims
or to use well-known personalities and to set space regulations for print media, among other things.
Restriction of smoking in public places falls under cantonal and communal authority and this varies
from region to
region. Several initiatives have been lodged in the past without success and after the rejection of
the ITS initiative
to restrict consumption in public places, the authorities claimed these "sympathetic manifestations"
to be
inapplicable in practice.
Philip Morris (and the total industry) continues therefore to enjoy greater freedom in marketing and
promotional
activities than exists in other countries.
Future Developments and Effect on PM Activity
During the plan period, the following anti-smoking actions may arise:
- Intensified activity by the anti-tobacco associations based on the 1980 World Health Organisation
platform.
Those groups will probably take advantage of this positive context in order to incite the
Authorities to take
new restrictive measures against the Industry.
- Following the above mentioned pressures, new restrictions within the Food Law are expected.
- Certain cantons and communes could simply decide to prohibit ou tdoor cigarette advertising on
their public ground.
This measure would not affect posters situated on private sites, but would have a negative general
effect on the
impact of cigarette postering.
On the other hand, the Industry through the members of the ASFC, will act as follows in order to
protect its
future interests:
- Definition of a common Smoking & Health policy enabling the Industry to discuss in public on this
subject.
- Move the Smoking & Health debate to a general discussion on the subject of individual liberty and
the role
of advertising in the economy.
- Reinforcement of several auto-restrictive measures by a change of the Code and Convention, in
order to avoid
further criticism regarding the influence of cigarette advertising on youngsters.
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SWITZERLAND - ACTION PLAN
ACTION TIMING RESPONSIBILITY
1. National Association
Periodic meetings with ASFC president to provide On-going AGi/PME-HQ
him with background information
Proposal to ASFC to create separate department
Tn order to become more active on S & H front
particularly in the areas of
- social acceptability/public smoking
- advertising
- S & H in general
On-going
AGi/PME-HQ
Proposal to ASFC to encourage the industry Development Stage AGi
to establish reinforced rules on advertising and
promotion
ASFC attended ICOSI Trade Association Meeting May 1979 PM/ICOSI
(Zurich)
2. Individual PM Action
Explore possible changes in PM S & H policy in On-going PME-HQ/AGi
order to arrive at modified S & H position more
or less in line with BAT-Suisse proposal
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ACTION TIMING RESPONSIBILITY
Encourage advertising industry to launch a pan-
European campaign to educate consumers on the role
of advertising in general and cigarette advertising
specifically
Improved information sources and outlets
Improved national implementation of Corporate
PR policy
Corporate Affairs Seminar held to brief
local PR advisors with distribution of
background materials
Seminar on effects of advertising to be
held with advertising agencies/pertinent
local management
Corporate affairs Seminar to be held to
further brief local PR advisors/ pertinent
local management
Regular distribution of aide-memoires made
to local management/advisors
Opinion survey of issues
Planning Stage
On-going
On-going
June 1978
September 1979
December 1979
On-going
Completed October 1978
AGi/PNE-CA
FTR/PME-C.A./
Local PR Agency
AGi /PME-C.A. /
Local PR Agency
TLW/PME-PR
PI/TLW/IHS
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