Tobacco Documents Online

This document is a proposal to the Tobacco Institute from a California consultant which discusses a plan to help the industry defeat cigarette tax proposal in California in 1982-83. The consultant discusses mobilizing Libertarians on behalf of the tobacco industry, a technique that the industry has been using increasingly in the late 1990's and into early 2000's: "Assuming the cooperation of leadership in the Libertarian Party, we can stimulate at least a modest letter writing program among Libertarian activists throughout the state. We recommend some financial assistance directly to the Party to help offset the cost of mailings to their members requesting action on the legislation in question. It would also be wise to employ a key Libertarian leader as a consultant to this effort..."

The proposal also discusses how the industry could clandestinely persuade citizens who are anti-tax (but who may also oppose tobacco on the grounds of their religion) to vote against the proposed tax:

"D. MOBILIZING TAX OPPONENTS

There is a great body of persons in California who are against taxes...period.

...We believe this group is a ripe target for a program which asks them to contact members of the legislature.

The key to success among this group is to stay away from the specific issue of taxes on tobacco products. Many of these persons are fundamental Christians or members of the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints. Discussing the tobacco aspect of the proposal would be counterproductive.

Therefore, a mailing to this group would attack the waste in government today and the need to cut existing excesses, rather than continue the tax-and-spend syndrome of the past. It would also give examples of how some excise taxes are particularly cruel on the elderly, etc."

[From Page 50]: RE: Libertarians

MOBILIZING KNOWN ALLIES

Generally speaking, Libertarian activists are considered to be out of the mainstream of political activity. Therefore, we would encourage them to write as consumer/taxpayers, not as political ideologues."

[From Page 100]:

"Smokers are generally identified as being usually -- though not exclusively -- of lesser education, and occupying a position of lesser affluence on the social ladder. There are special interest groups that possess similar demographic elements -- or are concerned with these elements -- which may be receptive to endorsing a position benefiting their constituencies. Some examples of such groups: the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People."

"Not for public use" study done of taxes paid and benefits consumed by smokers and nonsmokers.

Presentation about targeting a cigarette brand called "Harley Davidson" to low-income young blue collar males who have have a high school education or less, are outer-directed belongers and "wannabees," and who seek out a macho image. The brand would also be targeted women who have "men's interest."

1999 memo to John Scruggs of PM describing a proposal by Direct Impact (a PR company) to create a phony, corporate-sponsored "grassroots program" to oppose federal funding for anti-tobacco lawsuits. DI proposed using "personal letters and telephone calls" to legislators "from key influential constituents," large volumes of 'personalized' letters, and "patch through" telephone calls from constituents "that can be generated immediately before critical votes." Proposes to "Help focus key legislators on the issue by delivering PM's message through highly respected personal sources."