Tobacco Documents Online

October 9, 1995 / ATO/CA I (5) IARC MARKET SPECIFIC PLAN- FINLAND Finland's market specific plan includes information on present stage and estimated level of impact in separate issues, an overall objective, strategies and activities per relevant issues to counter [AR.C threats. CURRENT STATUS AND CLOSER LOOK OF POSSIBLE IARC IMPACT Since this IARC plan is specifically made by each market, it is very crucial to be aware and take a closer look of market's present situation and stage of separate issues. A selection of activities to counter IARC threats should be based on this information. The following issues are considered essential when possible impact is estimated: 1. CONSUMERS' RIGHTS a) Workplace smoking b) Restaurant smoking c) Private homes 2. REGULATORY AND LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS a) Class action b) Work Protection and Safety Act (Carcinogenic substances) c) Tobacco Law Amendments i.e. plain packaging d) Taxation e) Food Stuff Law 3. COURT CASES (in a long run) a) Primary b) ETS 4. CREDIBILITY a) b) c) d) Allies Media NMA and other tobacco companies Personnel

1. CONSUMERS' RIGHTS 2 a) Workplace smoking Finland has a new tobacco law which regulates workplace smoking. Health officials as well as most of smokers (75%) and non-smokers (90%) have indicated their satisfaction towards new smoking arrangements at workplaces. There is no need to make them any stricter. - not vet3.' likely a threat. b) Restaurant smoking The new tobacco law did not restrict restaurant smoking. Presently HoReCa associations and restaurant owners have dialogue going on with health officials concerning smoking at restaurants and cafeterias. Representatives of HoReCa business strongly oppose new regulations and support owners' rights to decide. This issue lives its own life which started after the Parliament approvecl a resolution concerning smoking restrictions in restaurants. Rules of the game have been agreed on by the playing parties. - sensitive issue, definiteb' a threat. c) Private homes (cars etc.) There is no legislation to restrict smoking at home. It is unlikely that legislators touch private homes. Instead health officials are likely to approach homes otherwise i.e. direct mail campaigns (responsible parents / children). - unlikely a threat. 2. REGULATORY AND LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS a) Class action Class action law proposal is unsolved and ongoing process and therefore very sensitive. ATO's actions on IARC have an effect on this process as well as our relationship and credibility with allies. Caution should be exercised! b) Work Protection and Safety Act (carcinogenic substances) The MSHA is investigating whether the evidence of the risk of cancer is sufficient to take ETS on the list of carcinogenic substances. In September 15 the MSHA received 12 statements on the matter from unions and associations including the NMA. - might be a threat, but not a media issue. c) Tobacco Law Restaurant smoking issue makes an exception. Other affects, for example plain packaging issue, are unlikely. (see point 1,b.) d) Taxation IARC study's outcome may be used as an argumentation for tax increases but on the other hand maintaining industry's credibility is extremely important also in this issue.

e) Food Stuff Law 3 After a debate it was agreed that tobacco products are not included in the new Food Stuff Law. effective in the beginning of 1995. 3. COURT CASES a) Primary Not threatened issue because these trials live their own lives. b) ETS If the publicity grows totally beyond the control and huge - might be a generator to an ETS case. But this kind of huge publicity could only be created if there is a strong contradiction between concerned parties (health officials and industry). - not vet3' likely threat. 4. CREDIBILITY a) Allies Sensitive ally-network requires carefulness from ATO. We should try to work towards jointly accepted materials i.e. allies should agree upon the IARC material ATO uses. Otherwise our allies reject us. b) Media Media will get an another bat to hit the industry which will also affect public opinion. But, since the awareness of ETS's health risks is quite high already in Finland, the affect is likely to be limited, if contradiction can be minimized. (see point 4.b. in strategies and activities) c) NMA and other tobacco companies ATO cannot count on any supporting activity when it concerns these parties. d) Personnel There is no need to over dramatize the issue among personnel. IARC is one study among others.

OVERALL OBJECTIVE: 4 Minimize the impact of IARC by securing consumers' rights as well as ATO's social acceptability and ally-network. OVERALL STRATEGY: Since ATO already has a working ally-network, there is no need to build one up. but instead it is very important to act sensitively towards gained balance in various CA-issues. ATO's actions and each move concerning IARC must be reflected in that sense: What can we win or lose ? STRATEGIES / ACTIVITIES PER ISSUE TO COUNTER POSSIBLE IARC THREATS 1. CONSUMERS' RIGHTS b) Restaurant smoking Strategy: Give all possible support to allies on restaurant smoking issue. Let them understand that the restaurant smoking issue should be closed before IARC study is published. Activities: Provide available restaurant customer surveys to representatives of HoReCa associations to support their negotiations with the MSHA. - Oct. -95 Keep close contact with them during negotiations and keep providing new material which may be helpful. If negotiations are delayed, remind them of upcoming IARC threats. At the time the studies are published, provide them with El'S-ally-argumentation especially if the publicity is wide in media. If necessary, keep providing extra support material afterwards.

4. CREDIBILITY 5 a) Allies Strategy: Always take into consideration our allies, even though an issue does not affect them directly. Maintain credibility. Activities: Keep good care of allies and if needed provide them supporting material of the issue. (see point l.b. in strategies and activities) b) Media Strategy: Do not wake a sleeping bear i.e. activities are not suitable before we know how widely the studies are reported in media. If situation requires, put IARC claims into a proper perspective, after the release of the studies. Activities: Emphasize journalists' briefings post-IARC because in this case advance information would work against us on other important issues. Media trips are not feasible due to ethical rules of journalists in Finland. Be prepared to face the media (ATO and key allies, especially the HoReCa associations), when the studies are released (media plan, Q/A etc.). Plan IARC Spokesperson training for ATO's personnel (JAW, KS, KN) to take place in Neuchatel. - during Dec. -95 Other issues Non-Governmental Organization's (NGO) Meeting Request for PM EEMA to provide all possible material concerning the NGO Conference in Helsinki (August 1996) - will create media attention, may be linked to IARC studies.