Philip Morris
Fields
- Author
- Miller, A.R.
- Area
- MAXWELL,HAMISH/CARLSTADT
- Type
- LETT, LETTER
- Site
- N19
- Named Person
- Turner, T.
- Request
- Stmn/R1-004
- Recipient
- Boltz, G.
- Document File
- 2024271519/2024272183/Cigarettes & Health 870000 PM Companies Inc.
- Litigation
- Stmn/Produced
- Author (Organization)
- PM, Philip Morris
- Named Organization
- Turner Broadcasting System
- Master ID
- 2024271876/1880
Related Documents: - Date Loaded
- 05 Jun 1998
- UCSF Legacy ID
- rdl85e00
Document Images
PH'ILIP MORRIS U.S.A.
120 I'ARK AVENUE
NEW YORK, N!Y10017
July 13, 1987
Ms. Gloria Boltz
General Delivery
Atlanta, GA 30301
Dear Ms. Boltz:
Imagine being turned down for a job, or possibly being fired
for biting your nails, or for being overweight, or for having the
wrong hairstyle.
Sound far-fetched? Well, it's not. There is
already at least one group which is being discriminated against
in the workplace because of its personal habits. That group is
smokers.
I am writing to you now because one very visible company has
publicly stated that it is not hiring smokers. We think
that's job discrimination and that's a concern for everybody.
Ted Turner's company, Atlanta-based Turner Broadcasting
System, Inc., admitted in May, 1987, that it does not hire
smokers. Whether or not you smoke, and whether or not you are a
cable television subscriber, you are no doubt concerned with
civil rights and discriminatory employment practices.
Many companies have responded to the needs of their smoking
and non-smoking employees in an equitable manner: by designing
policies in conjunction with employees that address the needs of
all and violate the rights of none. We think that this is the
fair way to proceed, and that Mr. Turner's ban on smokers is
really going too far. What group will next be declared socially
unfit and unemployable?
If you agree that TBS's ban on hiring smokers is
discriminatory, excessive and unfair, then I urge you to take a
few minutes to let TBS know what you think. I!f you are a
smoker, say that you do not like being discriminated against. If
you are a non-smoker, say that there are more equitable ways of
accommodating the needs of both smokers and non-smokers.
(Over, please)

Page Two
Attached please find some poi~nts you~can use when writing
your letter. If you are a cable subscriber, send your letter to
the president of your local cable operating company, then
forward a copy of this letter to Ted Turner at TBS. If you do
not subscribe to cable television, just send your letter to Mr.
Turner.
Also enclosed is a business reply card. Please fill it out
and'drop it in the mail. This way we can better inform you of
any further developments.
On behalf of all of us at Philip Morris, thank you in
advance for your support. If you have any questions, feel free
to call me at 800-223-1403 (in New York, 800-522-5663).
Sincerely,
Alan R. Miller
Manager, Consumer Relations
