Anne Landman's Collection
Core Objectives
Abstract
This 27-page Philip Morris (PM) strategy document from 1993 outlines how PM successfully fought a proposed smoking ban in Austin, Texas. Among PM's core objectives stated in the document is to "Manage external and internal perceptions to benefit our business."
PM laments the effect smoking bans have had on its business:
"Smoking restrictions have been estimated, this year alone, to have decreased PM profits by $40 million."
The document discusses the company's application of its "Accommodation Program" as a tool to help prevent or delay the enactment of laws restricting public smoking.
Page 21 of the document indicates that PM is fighting popular sentiment towards smoking restrictions: ,
"--Antis continue to seek smoking bans on the local level. --Recent polling says Californians want smoking restrictions."
PM's strategies against public health efforts are revealed on the next pages:
"Introduce legislation to scatter anti's resources...pursue numerous accommodation bills...Pass language which allows smoking in California and preempts localities from approving more onerous laws..."
PM also reveals plans to attack and hobble the charitable health organizations that pursue smoking restrictions:
"Regulate charitable organizations... [pass laws requiring] reporting requirements for percent of funds used for research vs. salaries. Cap administrative costs, salaries, lobbying expenditures. Establish minimum percentage of funds for research..."
And more strategies for PM's use of its Accommodation program to "refocus antis" are revealed:
"--Seek local level Accommodation laws in a limited number of localities to refocus antis and show accommodation is acceptable."
In addition to revealing how PM "played" the city council in Austin to defeat the proposed smoking ban there, the document also discusses the company's strategies for defeating excise taxes.
Fields
- Notes
From Ness-Motley collection Produced by: PMI Affected Defendants: PMI, RJR
- Quotes
CORE OBJECTIVES
• Minimize impact of Federal, State and Local taxes on the retail price of our products. • Protect the rights of Adult consumers to smoke. • Protect PM-USA's ability to market our products. • Manage external and internal perceptions to benefit our business. SMOKING RESTRICTIONS
Situation Analysis:
The Bad News
The EPA Report received wide publicity and has caused an acceleration in proposed bans and restrictions.
Currently 47 states have some form of smoking restrictions. Smoking is restricted in Private workplaces in 19 states; 28 states restrict smoking in restaurants. This year alone 18 states and 269 localities passed smoking restrictions. Measures are still pending in 6 states and 165 localities.
Smoking restrictions have been estimated, this year alone, to have decreased PM profits by $40 million.
Restrictions in shopping malls and arenas have been added to workplace and restaurant restrictions.
The Good News
More than 9,000 restaurants nationwide participate in the Accommodation Program. Over 250,000 merchandise pieces have been distributed featuring The Accommodation Program Symbol.
Thirteen states currently preempt local smoking restrictions.
Since 1989, 29 states, the District of Columbia and the city of Boston have enacted legislation which prohibits employment discrimination against smokers.
...Recently utilized The Accommodation Program to effectively advance Government Affairs' legislative agenda in a number of states.
In response to proposed statewide smoking ban in Pennsylvania last month:
• Identified restaurant owners to testify at hearings
• Maximized use of exhibit booth at PA Restaurant Association Trade Show to mobilize business owners to sign a petition, and write letters to elected officials.
• Produced timely VNR [video news release] which was widely aired across the state.
...AUSTIN, TEXAS
Situation
• On 12/2, City Council Agrees to Hear Proposed Smoking Ban Ordinance in One Week or on 12/9.
• Proposal Bans Smoking in Restaurants and Other Public Places and Severely Restricts Smoking in the Workplace.
• Austin, Texas City Council is as Liberal as the Berkeley, California City Council.
Strategy
SMOKING ORDINANCE
AUSTIN, TEXAS
• Create Coalition to Kill Ordinance in One Week
• Urge Coalition to Seek Less Onerous Ordinance
Resources Activated
• PM and RJR smokers call city council members prior to the hearing and testify at the hearing. • PM hires consultant to organize the hospitality industry. • PM consultant convinces Austin Restaurant Association to oppose the ordinance and joint the Texas Restaurant Association's activities. • TX Restaurant Association phone banks restaurateurs and hires local consultants to Lobby Individual City Council Members. • PM and RJR salesforces circulate flyers to retailers, restaurateurs, entertainment contacts and consumers.
• Miller Distributing alerted and has agreed to assist.
Smoking Ban Ordinance was Defeated on a 3 to 3 vote.
--5 hour hearing was held on 12/9. --125 witnesses sign up to testify
--63 for the ordinance (anti-smoking activists, health group representatives)
--62 against the ordinance (e.g. restaurant and bar owners and employees, bowling alley and bingo parlor proprietors, smokers rights activists, music industry representatives, smokers and a few nonsmokers. --Coalition continues to work for more reasonable ordinance. --Next hearing delayed until February 1994...
...Antis continue to seek smoking bans at the local level...
STRATEGY:
--Introduce legislation to scatter anti's resources... --Introduce numerous Accommodation bills... --Workplace (business organizations) --Restaurant (local restaurant associations) --Hotel (hotel-motel association)
- Company
- Philip Morris (Altria Group)
- Author
- Presumed corporate author, Philip Morris
- Recipient
- Presumed corporate recipient, Philip Morris
- Region
- United States
- California
- Named Organization
- NSA (National Smoker's Alliance)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.
- Type
- Outline
- Named Person
- Administration, Clinton
- Subject
- secondhand smoke
- secondhand smoke strategy (Corporate strategy to deal with ETS issue)
- legislation
- Corporate strategy
- industry activity
- industry front group
- industry influence
- industry response
- industry strategy
- public health policy
- public policy
- public smoking law
- secondhand smoke strategy (Corporate strategy to deal with ETS issue)
Document Images
