Lobbyist Support and Comprehensive Public Smoking Plan

Anne Landman's Collection

Lobbyist Support and Comprehensive Public Smoking Plan

Date: 00001988/E
Length: 4 pages
TIMS0016672-TIMS0016675
Jump To Images

http://tobaccodocuments.org/landman/TIMS0016672-6675.html
Derived from: /ti/TIMS0016672-6675.html

snapshot_ti TIM00620.76-TIM00620.79

Abstract

This Tobacco Institute memo describes how the industry manipulates state legislatures. The memo discusses the Institute's plan to introduce a "non-discrimination bill" to protect smoking in Kentucky. The industry designed these bills to prevent employers from adopting policies that would require workers be non-smokers. By 1990 the industry had introduced non-discrimination bills in 27 states, and had gotten them passed in 9 of them. (http://tobaccodocuments.org/ti/TIOK0030546-0547.html)

The memo discusses the third-party group the industry will use to introduce the bill, and how the industry will get around the state's restrictions on corporate contributions and influence legislators nonetheless:

"We have just finished the 1988 session of the Kentuoky General Assembly. The next session will come in January 1990. In order to prepare for introduction and passage of legislation, which provides for non-discrimination in hiring, we must begin our program effort now.

...At this time, it is our feeling this legislation should be introduced by and with union members... Kentucky does not allow corporate contributions, therefore, we must use other methods to assist us in our efforts to influence legislation. To pass this type of legislation we need to set up an extensive travel and entertainment budget to be used throughout the balance of 1988, 1989 and the first half of 1990. This will allow us to spend more quality time with legislators while they are engaged in more personal activities..."

Fields

Notes

Information on the length of this document varies. On TDO it appears within the first ten pages of a 500-page document. On the Legacy site it appears as a free-standing 12-page document.

Quotes

MEMORANDUM

TO: WALTER WOODSON FROM: RON MORRIS DATE: JULY 15, 1988

RE: LOBBYIST & SUPPORT COMPREHENSIVE PUBLIC SMOKING PLAN

KKNTUCKY/NON-DISCRIMINATION IN HIRING LAW

We have just finished the 1988 session of the Kentuoky General Assembly. The next session will come in January 1990. In order to prepare for introduction and passage of legislation, which provides for non-discrimination in hiring, we must begin our program effort now.

I have reviewed the possibility of this legislation with president of Associated Industries of Kentucky. He is a former House member with strong influence among the rank and file members. We have yet to review this type of legislation with Representative Ron Cyrus who is the head of the Kentucky AFL-CIO.

At this time, it is our feeling this legislation should be introduced by and with union members. It will be necessary to have the support of Associated Industries of Kentucky, the Kentucky Farm Bureau and the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.

Kentucky does not allow corporate contributions, therefore, we must use other methods to assist us in our efforts to influence legislation. To pass this type of legislation we need to set up an extensive travel and entertainment budget to be used throughout the balance of 1988, 1989 and the first half of 1990. This will allow us to spend more quality time with legislators while they are engaged in more personal activities.

REGION VII State/Locality Alabama

Objective

Repeal authority for counties and cities to impose local excise taxes. This requires introduction of special legislation.

Brief Description of Issue

Over 230 cities and 16 counties now levy local cigarette excise taxes. Bills to authorize local tax referencums pass the legislature as a courtesy to the sponsors...

General Strategy

Select key sponsor or sponsors for introductions and control of the proposed legislation. Contact leadership to determine their support and blessing of this effort. Establish a realistic and practical timeline for moving the bill prior to introduction. Develop a controlled hearing scenario. Use expert economic witnesses for best impact on fiscally responsible members. Develop favorable op-ed pieces by local economist where possible. Build coaltiion effort, working especially to garner the support of the Alabama Retail Association, local tobacco wholesalers and other interested business groups. Develop grassroots mail program...focus on specific legislators' home districts. Schedule grassroots efforts to coincide with movement of legislation...

Company

Tobacco Institute

Author

Woodson, Walter N. (TI State Activities VP 1992)

Recipient

Morris, Ronald C. (Tobacco Institute Vice President)

TI Vice President

Region

United States

Kentucky

Alabama

Louisiana

Arkansas

Mississippi

Florida

Tenessee

Litigation

Mississippi AG

Operation/Project

Smokers Rights

Anti-discrimination legislation

The tobacco Insituttendustry sought to pass anti-discrimination laws throughout the U.S. to help preserve social acceptability of smoking.

Type

REPORT

LEGISLATION / LAW

Subject

legislation

Document Images

Page 1: TIM00620.76

Ventilation Legislation Relationship to comprehensive plan Primary Strategy Strategy 4: Increase awareness of the true nature of indoor air pollution. Promote improved ventilation as the best solution. Tactical Program Tactical Program A. 2.: Encourage the introduction and passage of bills and ordinances which set acceptable ventilation standards and minimize the need or desire for smoking restriction legislation. Political and business environment o Some indoor air quality experts view improved and properly maintained ventilatlon systems as an effective means of addressing all indoor air pollutants including smoking. For example, ASHRAE has proposed that current dual ventilation standards for smoking and nonsmoklng areas be replaced by a single standard regardless of smoking activity. o There has been considerable media coverage pointing to proper ventilatlon as the key element to clean indoor air, i.e., Dr. Art Ulene's interview with Gray Robertson of ACVA. This broadens the indoor air quallty issue and places smoking in the proper perspective among all indoor air pollutants. o Some lawmakers, building codes organizations, and labor and business groups view smoking restrictions as an ineffective response to indoor air pollution. Labor groups, for instance, have promoted improved ventilatlon standards, i.e., legislation to assure overall clean indoor air. o Support of labor's position on indoor air quality enhances our relationship with llberal/labor allies. o Many business leaders are reluctant to tackle the indoor air quallty issue for fear of excessive costs. Proper education can, in many instances, ease those fears. o By the same token, business fears of ventilation amendments (perceived as costly) have led to the defeat of smoking restriction legislation in washington State this year. o Improved ventilation is often not viewed as an acceptable alternative to smoking restrictions by legislators and anti-tobacco groups. CONFIDENTIAL: MISSISSIPPI TOBACCO LITIGATION ~l~h/~S 0016672

Page 2: TIM00620.77

o Some lawmakers and businesses o£ten view smoking restrictions as the logical and most economical first step to improved indoor air quality. o There are a growing number of state study commissions on indoor air quality. These forums present industry allies the opportunity to participate as members and to communicate an objective indoor air quality message. Institute Program New Program Member Company Programs None Recommended Program Expansion Strategy: Increase awareness of true nature of indoor air pollution. Promote improved ventilation as the best solution and a better approach than smoking restriction legislation. Tactics: i. Determine ~arge~ sta~es and locali~tes for legislative introductions. Identify Indoor air quality allies and assist them in preparing legislation establishing acceptable ventilation, standards. 2. when determing target states and localities, review existing ventilation and smoking restriction legislation with indoor air quality allies for opportunities to include amendments establishing ventilation standards which would preclude the need for restrictive smoking legislation. If appropriate, introduce new ventilation-specific legislation. 3. Conduct indoor air quality briefings with key lawmakers and existing and potential allies to encourage their support of legislative efforts concerning ventilation standards. Seek additional presentation opportunities. 4. Brief legislative counsel on indoor air quality issues, and as appropriate, direct them to assist allies in promoting legislative initiatives. As necessary, retain additional legislative counsel to assist in these efforts. cONFIDENTIAL: MISSISSIPPI TOBACCO LITIGATION TIMS 0016673

Page 3: TIM00620.78

5. Encourage ventilation allies to oppose smoking restriction legislation as an ineffective alternative to good indoor air quality. 6. As appropriate, develop public relations program to support legislative campaign. As necessary, retain public relations counsel. 7. Encourage indoor air quality allies to participate in existing ventilation study commissions. Encourage these representatives to promote improved ventilation standards as an effective response. 8. Expand indoor air quality inspections of key ~overnment and private facilitles to illustrate to legislators and business leaders the need to address overall indoor air quality. Promote as appropriate, 9. Promote case studies of buildings that have adopted smoking restriction policies, but have failed to address overall indoor air quality. Direct promotion to those who conclude that smoking restrictions are the logical first step toward improved indoor air. TIMS O016674

Page 4: TIM00620.79

TIMS 0016675

Tobacco Documents Online

Anne Landman's Collection