Tobacco Documents Online

Ap r, 27. 1995 2: 20PM No, 0548 P. 2 MEMORANDUM TO: David Laufer FROM: Jim Overstreet Date: April 27, 1995 RE: April Report ---------------------- -------------- . ......____-------- - --- ------ -----..... Lunch with David Black, Editor of the Atlanta Business Chronicle, Itm influential business publication in the city. Among the subjects discussed was the Atlanta Accommodation Program/New York City smoking ban, Florida's SB2110 and its chilling effect on business climate, Smokers' Rights legislation and PM advertising series. He will be an advocate when business is threatened. * Phone meeting with Phil Gailey, Editor of the St. Petersburg Times, about Florida Supreme Court Decision upholding government's rights to deny employment to smoking applicants. Column protesting that decision will probably be forthcoming after the legislature adjourns. Galley has been a mild advocate in the past for some of our Issues. * Lunch with Dick Williams, Atlanta Journal Columnist who is a major advocate of personal rights and responsibilities. Pitched Dick on the New York smoking ban v/v Atlanta's Accommodation Program. He is sympathetic but wants to wait a month or two to judge NY results. He has been as close to an advocate on most issues as we have had in the past. * Meetings with Jim Wooten, Editor of the Atlanta Journal and Associate Martha Ezzard, regarding the realities of the failed Georgia preemption move last month. Had similar meeting with Constitution Associate Editor Jay Bookman. Bookman remains unconvinced any such legislation is needed, even if it sets no ceiling year such as the Georgia proposal did. Wooten is willing to hear more throughout the year. Discussed the New York situation as well. They were all unclear as to the legislative guidelines. Bookman supported us on Smoker's Rights initiative in the past and we will approach him with the Florida decision. 225 PEACHTREE STREET, N.E. ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303 404,688.5900 404, 525• t 98d RAx

Ap r. 27. 1995 2: 20PM No, 0548 P, 3 = Held initial discussions with Hartsfield Airport staff about formal announcement of completion of the concourse smoking rooms. ; Held similar initial discussions about announcement support with Tom Humber/NSA. * Held meeting with the Georgia AgriBusiness council, concerning the proposed Olympic Agricultural show and the role which PM and the tobacco industry could play. Group meets again on May 17. David Laufer and Jim Overstreet may want to attend. This Month * Welcome South Center, the SE RegionaUFederai information facility in downtown Atlanta, will officially open. The Accommodation Program is a sponsor and we will be briefing media on the program as a part of the opening effort. ~ Preemption effort in Alabama. * NYC Smoking ban early results (if we can get them ). * We may try to use "It's The Law" spokespeople in Alabama to combat proposed retail fee which will be used to hire more enforcement personnel for crackdown on sales to minors. Note: Sean Hannity, WGST radio talk show host, is not tobacco-friendly but just the opposite. He should be removed from the list of Third Party contacts. He would be reluctant even on the most Libertarian of issues.