Tobacco Documents Online

PROPOSED NYC SMOKING BAN: MESSAGE POINTS FOR 120 PARK EMPLOYEES ProposeCi Leq The New York City Council is currently debating a proposal that, if passed in its current form, would amount to a virtual ban on public smoking in New York City. • Under the proposed measure, smoking would be banned in most restaurants, bars, office buildings, hotel meeting rooms and sports stadiums. Smoking would be permitted only in enclosed, separately ventilated rooms. • The New York City Council has already held one hearing on this measure and will hold another on September 26. How You Can Help Please call or write to your City Council Representative before September 26 and let them know that you oppose Intro 232, the anti-smoking bill. Below are listed several points you may wish to use when communicating with your Council representative: • Approximately one-quarter -to-ene -tairT u of adults in New York choose to smoke. Their rights are just as worthy of respect as those of non-smokers, and both groups can be accommodated without a resort to smoking bans. • New York City already has one of the strictest smoking laws in the country, and the law seems to be working well. Non-smokers who wish to work or dine in a non- smoking area or non-smoking restaurant have that option. There is no need for further restrictions or an all-out ban. • The research evidence available does not establish that environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is harmful to non- smokers. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report claiming ETS is harmful is so politically motivated and scientifically flawed that it is currently the subject of a great deal of debate and even a • • lawsuit. F.~ © Many products and activities are controversial. City Council going to legally ban all of them? Is the kR CTt ~ New York City's economy relies heavily on international CT! tourism. Visitors from countries where smoking is a GO ~ ~ 2~:

f x popular and generally accepted adult pastime, do not understand or approve of restrictive public smoking measures. At best, this legislation makes the City an inhospitable place for foreign visitors, and at worst they may alter their travel plans to avoid the smoking ban. • When contacting your City Council representative, identify yourself as a Philip Morris employee and state that you are proud to work for a company that is one of New York's leading corporate citizens. • Point out that Philip Morris makes a major contribution to the city not only in terms of the people it employs and the taxes it pays, but also through its generous support of arts, civic and educational organizations in New York. • A list of City Council representatives, including their office addresses and telephone numbers is attached. If you do not live in the City, you still have the right, as someone who works in New York, to protest these proposed regulations. Commuters should call or write the office of the Speaker, Peter F. Vallone.