Tobacco Documents Online

( C THE TOBACCO INSTITUTE 13in I STftEF`I'. SORTHWEST W.-\5I1I\CTOS. DC 20006 =0' . 80(l.-I!-}-91576 May 9, 1980 Mr. Hans G. Sternik President Inter-Continental Hotels Pan Am Building New York, New York 10017 Dear Mr. Sternik: WILLI:1]1 K1.OI:PFEH, JR. Seuior Vlcc Presiden[- Public Hel~atinnti 20?.-}Ji-•MG1 An item a few weeks ago in the New York Journal of Commerce reported that your company is experimenting with "no smoking" rooms at Dubai and possibly at other locations. Assuming the report was correct, I think it's worth- while to offer a comment or two. I understand completely your company's interest in competitive hospitality and comfort for your guests. By inference, however, it seems to me that notice of preferential no-smoking accomodations also denotes a degree of unwelcomeness to potential patrons who may wish to enjoy tobacco products during their stays. Because it is my responsibility to keep up with anti- smoking activities throughout the world, continuous and substantial information available to me makes it clear that such activities are espoused by a tiny, vocal minority of the public. With that knowledge, I think, if I were in the hospitality business, and felt compelled to acknowledge the discriminatory taste of these few, I would also at least provide notice of a "welcome smokers" policy with respect to other accomodations. Please accept this as a friendly perspective and give me any comments which occur to you. William Kloepfer Jr. ZtiKjr:mss