Tobacco Documents Online

SUMMARY REPORT ON BRAZIL'S "II CONVENTION OF THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY 13-14 AUGUST, 1981 - SALVADOR, BA. The Brazilian Association of the Tobacco Industry (ABIFUMO) considered extremely opportune to hold the "II National Convention of the Tobacco Industry" with a prime view to properly promote the tobacco sector. It is perhaps worth mentioning that the previous convention was held I0 years ago. In spite of its tremendous social-economic contribution as a major source of tax revenue for the government, it is quite evident that the tobacco industry has never been given the importance it deserves. Therefore, it was decided that steps should be taken to promote the sector, showing its important role within the political, economic and social envi ronments. The areas for tobacco growing and processing are located in the South and Northeast of Brazil. The South is practically totally responsible for the processing of the Virginia type tobacco. In the Northeast, tabacco culture is limited to the dark-tobacco type for the manufacturing of cigarettes and to special tobacco for the manufacturing of cigars. As these regions are extremely distant from each other, it was felt that a closer relationship between the two should be stimulated, creating a "tobacco family", consciousness among all participants. The Convention was held on August 13-14th, in the city of Salvador, capital of the State of Bahia, in the Northeast of Brazil. Representatives of 80 tobacco companies were present. The Convention's program covered various subjects, s~h as agriculture, ecology and energy, with special emphas~s on T!05390273

- 2 - the social and economic importance of the industry. Because of its controversial nature, the smoking and health issue was not included in the program and discussions that could lead to the subject were totally avoided since it was felt that the main objective of the Convention could be deviated. The event was open to the public and counted with massive participation of politicians and the press. The Brazilian economy is goiDg through an extremely critical phase. Inflation rate is above I00% a year, recession is causing a drawback in industrial activities in general and unemployment is already becominq a serious problem. Considering that the tobacco industry is, in fact, the biggest source of tax revenue (10% of the Federal Budget), employs 1 million people (2,5% of the country's labour force) and increased its exports by 1,000% in the last ten years, we had sufficient arguments to show its economic and social .impactand it~ importance for governmental plans. All these points were emphasized in the advertising of the Convention published in the most important newspapers of the country. Governor Antonio Carlos Magalh~es of the State of Bahia, made the opening speech. The Governor of Alagoas, Guilherme Palmeira,was also present, as well as other important governmental authorities representing Bank of Brasil, Central Bank, and the Finance Ministry. The Convention also counted with the presence of influential journalists from all over the country and press coverage was quite exte nsi ve. The successful results of the Convention could already be felt in the anti-smoking campaign carried out in Paran~ soon after. AHd for this reason we feel that a briefing on the subject may be of interest since this State has already earned the reputation of being a traditional source of extremely active anti-smoking groups. T1o539o274

- 3 - ANTI-SMOKING CAMPAIGN IN THE STATE OF PARAN~ The campaign started on August 24th and ended on August 29th. The "Paran~ Association Against Smoking", with the conspicuous support of the State Health and Welfare Secretariat, took to Curitiba (capital of the State) a great number of participants to speak against the smoking habit. Little or no success was however the result, since there was practically no public. People responsible for the campaign found themselves in a very difficult position and the solution was to bring from local schools groups of students that would be punished by their respective teachers ifthey did not attend the meetings. These groups _ were transported in rented buses. On August 28th, approximately 4,000 students were taken to the streets of Curitiba, with streetbands to attract general attention and persuade the public to give up smoking. As a result of the work developed by ABIFUMO thr.ough personal contacts with media personnel, the campaign did not succeed in obtaining the desirable attention and press coverage. Two basic arguments were used by ABIFUMO: All questions related to the smoking and health issue are highly controversial and the campaign participants could not prove on sound gronds the unquestionableness of their claims. The tobacco industry is extremely important to Brazil's economy and this was thoroughly evidenced during the Convention held in ~ahia. During an interview to the S~o Paulo press, the local anti- smoking leader admitted the fiasco of the Paran~ campaign but held ABIFUMO responsible for it as a result of its counter-action. He guaranteed, however, that the fight will continue "until the cigarette consumption in Paran~ is reduced T!05390275

- 4 - to at least 50%" AB I F UMO Rio de Janeiro Sept. 20, 1981 MSRA/hma. T105390276