Tobacco Documents Online

Appendix op AMERICAN ~ ~LLRAMCE Wur Davo 8renton Chairman 602-461-8883 AMEKILAN ~ MESA, AZ - March 22, 1989 _• Smokers' clubs from around the globe, inoluding American 8mokeXs hlliance tASA), have pledged ass;Estance to'philippine citizens arrested for smokinq. Two weeks aqo a sweeping new anti-smoking ordinance was enacted in Queson City, Philippines. within the first four days of its implementation, more than 400 people were arrestsd. According to news sources from the phi.lippines, the new statute is criminal rather than civil and carries a penalty of 10 days in jail and/or a 200 peso fine. Xn u.s. dollars the approximate $10 fine. may seem minor. in the Philippines, however, it is not. A highly paid technical worker earns about 100 pesos a day. A well- paid factory worker earns only a0QJ-300 pesos a month. U.S. media coverage on this issue has beon almost nonexistent. When information has been reported, it was branded of minor significance. yet according to news articles relayed to A8A from the South pacifio, jails have - more -

i I Appendix H smokers jailed page 2 been packsd with smokers while more serioua crimes have been ptt on hold. "ASA was appalled to hear that people were bting jailed for smoking, yet more astonished that the news came from the Swiss Smokers' Club rather. than from our own eu dia," ASA Chairman Dave Srenton saia. "Z cannot beiieve the U.8. . media felt no responsibility to inforro the publie about this extreme abuse of power." The Swiss Smokers' club announred that it will provide funds to pay fin.e. American Smokers Alliance wili donate funds as well. "Smok.rs era people, not criminals to be bashed into submission," Srenton oontinuea. "Americar smokers need to take note. Soon they may be on the other side of a jail cell door if the anti-smokers' hopes are redli.r4d. We've joked abuut the eigaratto police coming to look us up• Now it' s for real." American smokers Aliianae is a national orAanisatfon consisting of individuals and smoker groups from aaro.s the country. The group is ¢ediested to eliminating discrimination against users of tobacco produots and restoring and defending their rights. For additional information on ASA, please write American 8snokers Aiiiance, Suit• 560, 3401 West End Avsnue, Nashviile, TN 37203. -30-