Tobacco Documents Online

WASI3INGTON LEGAL FOUNiDATION 1705 N STREET, N. W. WASHINGTON,, D. C. 20036 202-857-0240 March 1, 1988 Mr. Thomas F.A. Ahrensfeld Senior Vice President & General Counsel Philip Morris Companies, Inc. 120 Park Avenue New York, New York 10017 Dear Mr. Ahrensfeld: The Washington Legal Foundation (WLF) would like to request that the Philip Morris Companies, Inc. make a charitable contribution of $10,000 to support WLF's 1988 general operating expenses. WLF is a non-profit, public policy law center dedicated to promoting our free enterprise system and reducing excessive government regulation. WLF attorneys litigate at the federal and state levels, are involved in rulemaking proceedings, and publish timely legal policy products. Our publications are marketed on a weekly basis to over 5,000 key policymakers around the country including Members of Congress, Administration officials, federal and state judges, CEOs and their general counsel, legal scholars and the media. Our publications are frequently cited in Congres- sional testimony, relied upon as model legislation, reprinted by various groups and organizations in books and newsletters, referred to in media background reports, and used as reference material in law schools. Your generous 1987 general operating support of $2,500 enabled WLF to accomplish a great deal for the tobacco industry. As you may know, WLF published~ a Legal Backgrounder by Richard Wiley, former Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, which strongly criticized the growing movement to ban tobacco ads.

Mr. Thomas F.A. Ahrensfeld March 1, 1988 Page 2 After publishing~ and distributing this article to a national audience, WLF arranged for Mr. Wiley to testify on~our behalf before Congressman~Waxman's subcommittee on Health and the Environment on the constitutional problems surrounding Congressman Synar's proposed tobacco ad ban bill. WLF has been steadily working to find and promote allies who share our belief that it is wrong for the government to regulate speech concerning lawful products such as tobacco. One suchperson who has been working in tandem with our efforts is current FTC Chairman Daniel Oliver. Recently syndicated columnist George Will wrote a Washington Post column advocating the constitutionality and desirability of a tobacco ad ban. Later, in a different editorial article, Will wrote on the benefits of condom advertising. Will's inconsistency on the purpose underlying these similar types of product adver- tising prompted Oliver to write a personal note to Will. Oliver pointed out Will's inconsistency of thought; Will agreed and wrote a second Post column stressing that it would be legally imprudent for the government to ban tobacco advertising. Will's about-face was highlighted in yet another WLF Legal Backgrounder and once again distributed to leading policymakers and the media nationwide. In a related matter, at the request of The Tobacco Institute, WLF: attorneys recently presented informal comments to Health and Human Service"s Interagency Committee on Smoking and Health on the issue of tobacco and United States trade policy. As a result of the pressure many concerned groups brought to bear on the committee (of which WLF was a party), HHS changed the topic of discussion from the U.S. tobacco export policies to the international health consequences of smoking. These are just a few of the many pro-tobacco activities WLF attorneys have been involved in this year because of your past support. We have enjoyed a good working relationship with the Washington tobacco associations and tobacco companies and hope to continue working with Philip Morris Companies, Inc. in the future.

Mr. Thomas F.A. Ahrensfeld March~ l, 1988 Page 3 Because WLF is a public interest law center, we are in a unique position to present intellectual arguments which~ substantiate the views expressed by business. Furthermore, WLF is a major player in the national policy process and is ready to counter the plethora of anti- business groups which operate nationwide. WLF does not accept court awarded-fees, government grants, or hire professional fundraisers. As a result, we count on corporations like the Philip Morris Companies, Inc. for our general operating support. Therefore, I would like to request a charitable grant of $10,000 for WLF's 1988 general operating support. As always, we will continue to champion a domestic and international tobacco policy that is sensible and in the interest of our national economy. Since there are a number of pressing tobacco issues before the courts and Congress, we look forward to working with you in the future. If' you should have any questions about WLF or this proposal, I hope you will contact me or our Vice President for Public Affairs, Jennifer Smith. I look forward to hearing from you in the near future. sincerely yours, --f ~ ~ Daniel J. Popeo General Counsel DJP:js enclosures cc: Hamish Maxwell Ray Marden