Tobacco Documents Online

FOR : THE' TOBACCQ INSTI`.l _ _E, INC. , 808' - 1~:7th~ St, , N .W . „ . . , 3hington 6, D. FOR INZEDIATE RELEASE, TUESDAY, JULY 9, 1963 STATEMENT BY GEORGE V. ALLEN, PRESIDENT OF THE TOBACCO INSTITUTE Washington -- George V. Allen, President of The Tobacco Institute, Inc., today issued the following statement: • I wish to restate and reaffirm the tobacco industry's position that smoking is a custom for adults and that it is not the intent of the industry to promote or encourage smoking among youth. Because there has been some misunderstanding and criticism of the industry onithis point, the Institute has offered the following suggestions, applicable to cigarette advertising in all media, for the attention of its members: Cigarette advertisements should be characterized by good judgatent and good taste. In keeping with the position of the industry that smoking is a custom for adults, cigarette advertisements should not give a contrary impression. Persons featured in advertising should be, and should appear to be, adults. Television or radio programs and other media whose content is directed particularly to youthful audiences should not be sponsored or used. Thus, good jud®nent in program content, rather than arbitrary restriction of sponsorship to certaimhours of the listening or viewing day, should be the determining factor. It will be recalled that on June 19, I stated that a number of individual companies of the Institute had.decided to discontinue college advertising and promotional activities. The details of implementing the Institute's suggestions are, of course, matters for the decision of individual companies. The Institute itself does not monitor or regulate the advertising of its members. ;:r<t;.:<

such reports might be misinterpreted as a change in industry position on the health charges that have been levied against the industry. Several persons expressed the view that the ac- tion of various companies in connection with their college promotions was generally recognized as simply being in keep- ing with the position of the industry that smoking is a cus- tom for adults. • After discussion as to the possible reception and im- pact that might result, it was the consensus of the meeting that President Allen should proceed with his plan to announce publicly a reaffirmation of the industry's position that smok- ing is a custom for adults and that it is not the intent of the industry to encourage smoking among youth, and to offer for the attention of members of the Institute the following suggestions: Cigarette advertisements should be characterized by good judgment and good taste. 0 In keeping with the position of the industry that smoking is a custom for adults, cigarette advertise- ments should not give a contrary impression. Persons featured in advertising should be, and should appear to be, adults. Television or radio programs and other media whose content is directed particularly to youthful audiences should not be sponsored or used. Thus, good judgment in program content, rather than arbitrary restriction of sponsorship to certain hours of the listening or viewing day, should be the determining factor. • It was pointed out that these were suggestions for the in- dividual members and that their implementation by any mem- ber was a matter for its own individual decision. In view of the considerable press interest in the Institute's consideration of matters relating to advertising, it was suggested that a draft of a statement which could be issued by Mr. Allen be prepared so that the group might.con- sider it. A statement for release that day was prepared, which incorporated the foregoing points and also noted that on June 19 Mr. Allen announced that he had been informed that a number of individual companies of the Institute had decided to discontinue college advertising and promotional activities.