Anne Landman's Collection
Use of Economic/Public Policy Consultants
Abstract
This one-page, Minnesota-selected document is a memo to Fred Panzer (Vice President of Issues Management at the Tobacco Intstitute) from a Tobacco Institute public relations consultant cautioning him about the proper use of economists as spokespersons for the tobacco industry. The consultant explains that the use of economists allows the industry to shift the debate about a piece of tobacco control legislation away from the health issue ("which the TI cannot win") and toward a discussion of economics and public policy":
"Indeed, the economists can be most useful to the industry in shifting the debate on a piece of legislation away from the health argument (which TI cannot win) and toward a discussion of economics and public policy. This can only be accomplished, however, if the economists are representing some local interest other than the tobacco manufacturers."
This memo is useful a demonstration of why the industry and its supporters frequently use the tactic of shifting the debate over tobacco issues away from the topic of health and onto economic and public policy issues.
Fields
- Quotes
From: Maureen Delanty Date: 1/31/85
To: Fred Panzer
RE: Use of Economic/Public Policy Consultants
The most important thing to remember in using the economists is that these people cannot address the health question. This means they should never testify on behalf of The Tobacco Institute or the manufacturers in any capacity.
In the best possible situation, they should be representing a coalition of state business and labor interests. When this is not possible, any group of local businessmen would be satisfactory.
Indeed, the economists can be most useful to the industry in shifting the debate on a piece of legislation away from the health argument (which TI cannot win) and toward a discussion of economics and public policy. This can only be accomplished, however, if the economists are representing some local interest other than the tobacco manufacturers.
The point should also be made that these economists are not "silver bullets." They are meant to be used in addition to and along with other industry strategies to defeat a piece of legislation.
As for timing -- depending on the complexity of what is being asked for -- four to six weeks advance notice is ideal for completing research, drafting testimony, and briefing the economist. However, something can almost always be prepared on shorter notice. In many situations, we can also help with identifying possible front groups in a local area.
cc: Jim Savarese
- Company
- Tobacco Institute
- Author
- Dilanty, Maureen 1 (Ogilvy Mather Public Relations)Consultant to the Tobacco Institute
- Recipient
- Panzer, Frederick (TI VP of Issues Management c. 1988)Vice president of The Tobacco Institute, early 1970's
- Region
- United States
- Litigation
- Minnesota Attorney General
- STMN/Selected
- Type
- MEMO
- Subject
- economic analysis
- economics
Annotations
- 1. Dilanty, Maureen Author
- Affiliation:
Ogilvy Mather Public Relations
- Affiliation:
Document Images
