Tobacco Documents Online

EXECUTIVE OFFICE n(ta NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION • 1201 16th St., N.W., Washington, D C 20036-3290 •(202) 822-7000 MARY HATWOOD FUTRELL, President DON CAMERON, Executive Director KEITH GEIGER, Vice President ROXANNE E. BRADSHAW, Secretary-Treasurer June 4, 1987 Mr. Hamish Maxwell Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Phillip Morris Companies 3939 W. Highland Boulevard Milwaukee, WI 53201 Dear Mr. Maxwell: RECEIVED JUN 9 1987 HAM19H MAXWEl1' 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 alcohol. We believe that there is a direct correlation between alcohol abuse and unacceptably high numbers of students who have difficulty in school, drop out, are involved in alcohol-related accidents, and even commit suicide. 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 athlete or musician or movie star promoting alcoholic beverages 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, ~ ~ // .-,/ ~iHatwo~s!d Futrell President MHF:kw

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