Tobacco Documents Online

® NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION - 1 MARY HATWOOD FUTRELL, President KEITH GEIGER, Vice Presiden lt ROXANNE E. BRADSHAW, Secretary•Treasufsr June 4, 1987 Mr. Hamis axwell C'hairma nf thr. Rnarri 6th EXECUTIVE OFFICE .W., Washingo(i, D C 20036-3290 •(202) 822-7000 EIVED Philli orris Companies \ U i' >syvN a t987 P 120 P rk Avenue A MIS#i MAXWELL NY 10017 -1 I Neyf York , Dear Mr. Maxwell: DON CAMERON, Executive Director On behalf of the nearly 1.9 million teachers and school employees who belong to the National Education Association, I am writing to you today to express our concern about advertisements we fear may encourage adolescents and teens to use cigarettes. Smoking has been shown to be addictive and dangerous to those who smoke and even to those who are around smokers. We are especially worried about those youngsters and adolescents who begin smoking at a very early age--perhaps before they understand all the potential hazards to their health. Because of our deep concern for these students, we encourage you not to target adolescents and teens in your advertising campaigns. We are worried that youngsters who see their favorite football player or musician or movie star promoting cigarettes will be prompted to imitate that star. Since our children see professional athletes and celebrities as role models, we ask you in future campaigns not to use these stars as spokespeople for your products. We believe it would be a step in the right direction toward promoting a goal we all share-- healthier children. Thank you for your concern in this matter. Sincerely, Futrell MHF:kw 0 ,