Daly, Christopher K. - City Mgr, Arvada, CO Sept. 1996
This 1996 memo from the city of Arvada, Colorado (USA) shows how a tobacco company's largesse towards a city can potentially influence public health policy in that city.
On February 9, 1996 the Jefferson County (Colorado) Department of Health went before the Arvada city council to urge them to enact a unilateral ban on smoking within the city's restaurants. At an August 2 City Council meeting, the council held a study session to talk about how to proceed in improving the city's smoking restriction law.
The (then) Acting City Manager of Arvada sent this memo to Arvada's Mayor and City Council members to make them aware of the potential impact that a stricter smoking ordinance might have on a lucrative rental contract the city held with Philip Morris (PM). PM rented the Arvada Performing Arts Center as venue to hold 13 concerts a year. As part of the rental contract with the city, PM also generously promised to pay for substantial capital improvements to the Center.
The City Manager stated that while reviewing an updated ordinance city staff will
"...be keeping in mind any potential impacts the [updated] smoking ordinance may have on the rental agreement between the Arvada Center and Philip Morris U.S.A. This agreement encompasses a series of thirteen private concerts from April through October 1997, held in the Arvada Center amphitheater for contest winners who participated in a national sweepstakes contest. All winners must be smokers and over the age of 21...
In addition to substantial revenue for amphitheater rental and food and banquet services, the Arvada Center will benefit from over $100,000 of capital improvements to the facility under the terms of the agreement.
Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions."