Tobacco Documents Online

III. Recommended Activities/Tools - for state objectives Arguments/Talking Points/Studies Working with third parties share with general public and key officials studies/polls/research that provide statistical information on the impact of legislative and regulatory proposals. Mobilizations Possibly, two statewide general mobilizations will be needed if a tax increase threat becomes a reality. For other issues funding for third party mobilizations is a preferable alternative. Sales force We are continuing the already well developed active involvement of the PMUSA sales force to assist in getting information out to the retail community and to identify other potential allies/spokespeople. This is particularly important in efforts to deal with pos bans and restrictions. 0~

Draft 9/19/96 Connecticut I. State Overview: • Politics The legislature meets every year. However the 1997 session is the start of the two year budget cycle and is therefore a long session year. The legislature will convene on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January and will continue until the first Tuesday after the first Monday in June. The political environment could change after the November elections. Clinton is expected to run very strong in the state and there is a tradition of strong coat tails. The Senate is currently controlled by the Republicans 19 to 17. There are three very close Senate races which could result in a change in control. The House is currently controlled by the Democrats who are in a position to gain seats. If both Houses are controlled by the Democrats there could be a change in the relationship with the Rowland administration. In addition the State Attorney General has instituted a third party Medicaid liability law suit which the industry is challenging. The outcome of the national elections as well as the status of litigation and State Attorney General activity will be important to monitor. • State Objectives Support the hospitality industry in their efforts to retain state wide uniformity. Work with impacted industries to pass AAA enforcement language which was not addressed in 1996 legislation. - uniform inspections and designation of central depository of information on Illegal sales to minors. Defeat all proposed increases to the state cigarette excise tax rate and continue the dialogue on a tax roll back. Defeat all proposed advertising and marketing restrictions. i.e. point of sale restrictions, billboard placement, limits on tax deductibility of amounts expended for tobacco advertising. Defeat all proposals to impose third party Medicaid liability. Defeat all proposals to require or promote divestment of tobacco stocks. Defeat all proposals to require ingredient disclosure. Defeat all proposals to mandate fire retardent cigarettes.

ti. Strategies/Tactics - for all state objectives. Continue to develop relationships with legislative and administrative branches and staff. Third party allies. Work proactively with business units to assure that plans and decisions take into account the impact on third party allies whose support is needed to shape environment and continue attainment of goals. • Work with wholesalers, retailers and anti-tax groups in informing legislative and executive branches regarding the potential positive economic influence a tax roll back would have on their newly recovering economy. This should be particularly important given recent tax increases in other states in the region. • Studies, polls & research. For both state and local efforts, update polling on attitudes towards accommodation, taxes and broad government regulation in general coupled with arguments from issues management and talking points from media affairs team. CT specific data on accommodation folded into a national survey would provide the needed back up for defending uniformity. An updated study on revenue generated by cigarette excise taxes and a study of cross border sales is needed to advance tax roll back dialogue. • Media support. Provide media support for release of data to coincide with legislative activity and to respond to other media programs. Move towards a more proactive media approach to provide rationale and alternative to anti-pressure. Provide PM consultants, legal counsel and third party allies with positive messages to be used as needed in the state capital and localities where action is indicated.