Tobacco Documents Online

( THE TOBACCO INSTITUTE IH:S l STREET. NORTHWEST IVILL[AM KLOI?PFLR, /R. W:ASii]VC;TON, DC 20006 Seninr V'ice Prcaic?unt- !U"'.-157--18U0 • 800,'4°_4-9(i76 Public Relnt:,ns 202%457-4861 May 9, 1980 Mr. M. William Isbell President Ramada Inns, Inc. 3838 East Van Buren Street Phoenix, Arizona 85008 Dear Mr. Isbell: An item a few weeks ago in the New York Journal of Commerce reported that your company is experimenting with "no smoking" rooms at many of its hotels. 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 inferencl- 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. WKjr:mss y