RJ Reynolds
Tma Tobacco Weekly. Tw93-21. Corporate Finance. RJR Names Harper Ceo, Ricciardi President; Von Der Heyden Retires.
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S
~1yr~1 TOBACCO WEEKLY
Farrell Dehnan
President
CORPORATE FINANCE
RJR NAMES HARPER CEO, RICCIARDI PRESIDENT; VON DER HEYDEN RETIRES
S
S
On 5/27 RJR Nabisco Holdings Corp. (RJR) named
Charles M. Harper chairman and ceo, replacing Louis
V. Gerstner Jr. who resigned in 3/93 to take the top
spot at IBM. The
company also
announced the
appointment of
former co-chairman
Lawrence R. Ricciardi
as president and the
retirement of former
co-chairman Karl von
der Heyden. Mr.
Harper's
not have any experience in the cigarette business, RJR
spokesman Jason Write said the company was looking
for a good marketeer. "Packaged goods are packaged
TW93-21
May 27,1993
FITCH ANALYZES CIGARETTE MANUFACTURERS CASH FLOW
Tobacco analvsts repo ed in ' th~t the tobagco industry
face~ an~n cerfai-n cashlow~ res t o e cigarette price war, t e
continued shift tpward less protitale iscount cigarettes, and the specter
of increased excise taxes -- w}uch could further reduce overall domestic
ret 4 consut~pti~~~ "However, with the exce'ption of Brooke Gr up,
l[d., w~ich may tae (,`hap~er 1f later (his~pear, to6acco companies wil be
able to maintain overali credit quality i) the are willing To materiall
redu,r.e cjiscreti na outl ~i ry sjock Anc~
ryca~ ys, such as ureas~s of,treasu
acquts~tions," ~itch sat . T~ie report further detatled the six major
cigarette manufacturers net free cash flow (Fitch Research S/17).
goods," he said.
Henry Kravis, whose
Investment firm
controls RJR,
contacted Harper
about the job several
months ago. Kravis
reportedly had
discussed the
position with him in
1988, however,
Harper declined to accept. Some industry analysts
were "stunned" by the announcement. "Leave it to
Henry Kravis to do the dramatic thing," said Prudential
Securities Inc. analyst John McMiilin.
(see RJR on page 2)
EXCISE TAXES
appointment to RJR takes effect 5/31 as he will resign
as chairman of ConAgra Inc. -- a$20bn company with
interests ranging from frozen foods to cooking oAs. At
ConAgra, Harper started the successful 'Healthy
Choice' food line, which spawned at least a dozen
other brands named "healthy.". Although Harper does
OPPOSITION TO CIGARETTE TAX IS FIRM IN SC
Although some Kentucky burley tobacco growers
may not fight a proposed Federal cigarette excise tax
increase (see TW 93-19), according to tobacco
warehouseman George Abbott, South Carolina
flue-cured tobacco growers remain opposed to any
kind of cigarette tax increase. The Kentucky growers
are threatening to boycott the anti-tax efforts unless an
agreement can be reached with cigarette
(see SC on page 2)
CT: HIGHER CIGARETTE TAX APPROVED
On 5/19 Connecticut Gov. Lowell Weicker (I)
signed the State's omnibus tax bill, S 842, which
MO: LEGISLATURE PASSES HEALTH(CARE BhLL9,e 2)
INCLUDES TOBACCO TAXES
On 5/18 both the Missouri House and Senate
passed S 564, the State's health care bill. The measure
would increase the cigarette tax by 4a (from 130
(see MO: on page 2 & 3)
USE ACCOMMODATION & RESTRICTION
CO-WORKERS MOST INFLUENTIAL IN
GETTING SMOKERS TO QUIT
According to a study released on 5/24 before the
annual meeting of the American Psychiatric
Association, co-workers can be more influentiai than a
smoker's spouse, children, doctor or friends in
influencing the smoker to stop smoking. Researcher
Cheryl Gore-Felton, who is working toward a Ph.D. in
counseling at Stanford University, conducted the
research among 112 adult long-time smokers.
TOBACCO MERCHANTS
ASSOCIATION OF THE U.S., INC.
TEL: (609) 275-4900
MD: WOMAN ALLEGEDLY ATTACKED
FOR SMOKING
On 5/22 Debra Jane Lowenstein alleged that Paul
Korotki, a lawyer, and his friend, Harry Steven, attacked
her for smoking a cigarette in a Baltimore Countv.
MaWand restaurant -- even though she was seated In
the designated smoking area. Lowenstein filed battery
charges against the men claiming Korotki struck her
like an old-time faith healer saying, "Heall Heall," while
Steven tried to tie her belt loops to the chair.
3vu1rQeQ1! 915
P.O. BOX 8019
PRINCETON, N.J. 08543-8019
FAX: (609) 275-8379

RJR Continued from pgge 1
The retirement of Mr. von der Heyden is considered
a blow to RJR because he played a key role In cutting
RJR's debt load in half to about $14bn, and his
departure comes on the heels of the resignation of top
Nabisco executive Ellen Marram, who recently left to
take a top post with Seagram Co. "You want more
continuity," said McMlllin. Phil Sokolof, head of the
National Heart Savers Association, a group that praised
ConAgra's efforts to reduce fat content In food said
Harper "will be hard-pressed to come out with a
'Healthy Choice' cigarette." Asked about his feelings
on taking over a tobacco company, Harper said,
"Obviously, it's not a matter of great concern to me,
otherwise I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing" (WSJ,
NYT 5/28).
CONSOUDATED SAVORS CIGAR
SALES RENAISSANCE
Featured in two news articles, Consolidated Cigar
Corp., is reportedly capitalizing on the trend toward
expensive cigars by releasing a new line of products.
Among the new products is a new version of 'H.
Upmann' cigars sold In natural wood boxes and -- the
company's biggest move -- a new, Americanized
version of the legendary Cuban 'Montecristo' cigar.
Founded in 1918 when six independent cigar
manufacturers banded together, Consolidated bought
the trademarks of famous Cuban cigar brands like
'Montecristo' and 'H. Upmann' in the early 1970's. The
new 'Montecristo' wUl sell for about $5 each In a copy
SC Continued from page 1
manufacturers concerning the importation of foreign
tobacco. While Abbott said the import Issue was
important, he thinks the burley farmers have only
themselves to blame for the rise In Imports because
they failed to produce as much tobacco as they were
permitted to grow under the Federal tobacco program.
"1 think it's fair to say that most of the flue-cured
growing community is firmly in opposition to any kind
of tax increase, State or Federal," Abbott said (State
[Coiumbia,SC] 5/17).
CT: Continued from page 1
includes a provision to Increase the cigarette tax in two
steps. On 7/1 the State's cigarette tax will increase by
20 per pack to 47e, then on 7/1 /94 it will increase to 50¢
per pack (TMA Leg-database).
MO: Continued from page 1
to 17e) per pack and impose a new 10% OTP tax. In
addition, local cigarette tax rates, which are imposed in
more than 120 cities, would be capped at rates in effect
of the original yellow and red packaging, and will be
made In the Dominican Republic using a special blend
that includes Cuban-seed tobacco, the company said.
Speaking about the comeback in premium cigar sales,
Richard DiMeola, executive vp of Consolidated said,
"They're back In fashion because we're discovering
that a cigar still means male bonding: sitting In a
comfortable chair, and just having a good chat." In
1992 sales of premium cigars -- which are those priced
from $1 to $20 or more -- increased 5%, said Norm
Sharp, president of the Cigar Association of America.
"Personally, I think a $2 cigar is just as good as a $12
cigar," DiMeola said. "I even tell our customers that.
But they keep buying expensive cigars. So guess
what, we're going to make them" (Knight-Ridder 5/25).
UGGETT OFFERS EARLY RETIREMENT
4/21 was the last day for employees to accept an
early retirement package aimed at trimming Liggett
Group Inc.'s Durham, NC payroll, however, the number
of employees who opted for the package is not known.
"We're still in the process of gathering everything up,"
said Uggett manager of communications, Carol Jova.
"We regret this action is necessary. However, we are
trying to accomplish this down-sizing as fairly as
necessary for all Liggett employees," the company
said. Uggett officials have declined to speculate about
the possibility of forced layoffs after reviewing the
results of its early retirement and separations package.
Officials have also declined to talk about how many
workers may have accepted the offer (Herald-Sun
[Durham,NCJ 4/22). .qr10/1. Upon approval by Gov. Carnahan (D), S 564 will
take effect 10/1 (TMA Leg-database).
MIUTARY TOBACCO SALES BILL PROPOSED
On 5/19 Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) introduced S
992, the "Military Tobacco Sales Act." The legislation
would subject cigarette and OTP military sales at
commissaries, exchanges, and ships' stores to all State
and local excise taxes and would require that the price
charged for cigarettes and OTP in military stores
located outside of the US to be the prevailing price
charged by private commercial businesses. In remarks
made before the Senate, Bingaman said that his
proposal was consistent with President Clinton's health
care goals and accused cigarette manufacturers of
lowering their prices "to attract and retain smokers In a
declining market." Bingaman added "the military is one
market In which the tobacco industry has met with
long-standing success," and said the reason for a
higher smoking rate among military personnel
compared with the general population was because of
lower tobacco prices charged at military installations.
The bill was referred to the Committee on Armed
Services for consideration (TMA Leg-database).
S
2 TW93-21

S
S
WORLDWATCH CLAIMS CIGARETTE TAX HIKE
WOULD IMPROVE HEALTH, CUT COSTS
According to a study released by Workiwatch
Institute during a 5/26 press conference hold In
Washington, DC, President Clinton's proposal to raise
the Federal cigarette excise tax by $2 a pack would cut
government spending on health care, produce a
healthier and more effective workforce, and bring in
revenue to mitigate health care costs. The Worldwatch
study analyzed US and international data on taxation,
consumption, and alleged social "costs" of smoking.
The full study will be available in 7/93 for $10.95 a copy
(DaNy Report for Executives 5/27).
FL: TOBACCO TAXES EUMINATED
A 25¢ per pack cigarette tax Increase and similar
OTP tax, proposed by Florida's Gov. Chiles (D) to fund
prison construction, was amended out by the
Legislature In a Special Session. Reportedly, 84% of
the respondents to a Safe Streets Now poll supported
the concepts of Chiles' plan to build more prisons, with
8196 supporting the plan after being informed that a 25e
cigarette tax would be used to fund the prison
expansion. However, after the Legislature convened its
Special Session on 5/24, Gov. Chiles said he would not
seek a cigarette tax hike because welfare costs would
be $167mn under budget, freeing the money for other
uses. Also, House and Senate committees amended
Chiles' plan and passed a plan to build 10,524 more
prison beds instead of the 20,000 more beds Chiles'
had proposed (Miami Herald 5/18, Gannett 5/22, UPI
5/25).
IL: CIGARETTE TAX "DEAD"
Although MjpQjB Senate President James Philip (R)
proposed raising the State's cigarette tax by 700 per
pack as a means to fund Medicaid and to "discourage
teenagers from smoking," such a tax Increase was
pronounced as "dead" by other Senators. Philip's plan
SMOKERS Continued fom page 1
After the smokers filled out a questionnaire about such
things as how important it was to them that their
children wanted them to stop smoking and how likely it
was that they would stop based on co-workers'
attitudes, they were randomly assigned to one of three
treatments. While the method of treatment did not
make a difference In their smoking cessation success
rate, researchers claimed that co-workers' attii:udes
were the strongest of the social pressures measured,
followed in order by attitudes of the smoker's children,
doctor, friends, and, ranked lowest by a wide margin,
spouse. Smokers reportedly pick up co-workers'
attitudes by such things as not seeing colleagues
smoke and noticing a lack of ashtrays at office social
gatherings. "it really goes to people wanting to be
accepted," Gore-Felton said. The results suggest that
TW93-21
would have raised the State's current 30¢ per pack tax
to $1 per pack and raise an estimated $50pmn annually
-- which would be matched by Federal funds - to pay
for Medicaid. But Gov. Edgar (R) and other legislative
leaders did not embrace Philip's plan. Harry'Bud'
Kelley, executive director of the Illinois Association of
Tobacco & Candy Distributors said: "We're dealing In a
legitimate product. If you take this [cigarette) tax that
high, you're going to create an illegitimate business,
and it's called bootlegging." Reportedly, no other tax
proposals have been offered (Gannett News Service
5/19, Chicago Tribune 5/20, UPI 5/26).
OR: "SIN TAXES" TO PAY FOR HEALTH CARE
On 5/19 Oregon State Health Services Executive
Director Paige Sipes-Metzler told a California
"watchdog" organization which is lobbying for
government controlled health care, that Oregon is likely
to fund the additional cost of Its universal health care
plan through a combination of "sin" taxes and levies on
providers, but oniy until a general- funding mechanism
can be adopted. Sipes-Metzler expressed optimism
that the Legislature would pass a bill -- within the next
six weeks -- to Impose provider taxes and increase
alcohol and cigarette taxes to raise the projected
$83.6mn needed over the next two years to fund the
State's health care plan. However, she did not
speculate on what the higher cigarette tax rate would
be. Eventually, the State's additional need for revenue
to fund the program will have to come from a more
generally funded source, she said, such as a State
sales tax. Sipes-Metzler said there was "great
reticence" among designers of the health plan to
incorporate some form of a higher premium for "bad"
health habits such as smoking or drug abuse,
explaining that the State wanted first to emphasize
education and prevention. She did not, however, rule
out "personal responsibility" premiums at a later date
(Daily Report for Executives 5/21). -~,,~1
programs designed to assist workers stop smoking can
have some benefit, she said (AP 5/25).
MD: Continued from page 1
Lowenstein's lawyer, Craig M. Kadish, said the 5/15
incident is "scary" and "strikes at the heart of the
smokers' rights issue." "This implies that If someone
doesn't like what you're doing, even if it's legal, you
may not be safe," said Kadish, who daimed that his
client "was increduious that this could happen to her
while seated in a public restaurant." In 1990 Korotki's
license to practice law was suspended for 18 months
after State investigators concluded that he had
overcharged Baltimore firefighters who had been badly
burned fighting a magnesium fire (Washington Post
5/22).
51712 8209
3

LOCAL ANTI-TOBACCO ACTIVITIES
In Ca(lfamla , Sapt$eoga Fashion Park Mail held an
anti-smoking event on 5/21 In honor of the 5/31 World
No-Tobacco Day 1993, and announced that it will ban
smoking In all common areas of the mall. On 5/20 the
Rancho Palos Verdes City Council approved an
ordinance to ban smoking In restaurants and to restrict
smoking In bars. On 6/16 the Moorpark City Council Is
expected to approve a broad-based smoking ban (PR
5/20, Los Angeles Times 5/21,).
In Howard County. Ma and a County Council
member introduced a proposal to ban smoking in all
enclosed public places, including restaurants and bars.
Restaurant owners spoke-out against the proposal
saying their businesses would be put at a"competftive
disadvantage" with restaurants located in neighboring
Counties that permit smoking (Washington Post 5/20).
The Metro Omaha_ Nebraska Tobacco
Awareness Coalition was recently formed to lobby for
anti-tobacco legislation and enforce existing sales and
consumption restriction laws (USA Today 5/26).
In Qb(Q, Gov. Voinovich's (R) Executive Order to
ban smoking in all State-owned or-leased buildings
takes effect 6/13. The Franklin Countv and C"
Columbia Boards of Health are considering a
broad-based smoking ban proposal. Under the
proposed rule, smoking would be banned in nearly all
public places, inciuding bars, restaurants, bowling
aileys and shopping malls. Only buildings not under
the health boards' Jurisdiction and tobacco stores
wouki be exempt from the smoking ban (UPI 5/24).
CA: SMOKING RESTRICTION BILLS ADVANCE
On 5/19 two smoking restriction bills passed the
CalffoCpla Assembly Ways and Means Committee and
were sent to the floor for debate. A 13, which would
ban smoking in virtually all indoor workplaces, and A
996, which would adopt Statewide smoking restrictions
In workplaces, restaurants and other public places, and
would also preempt more stringent local ordinances,
both advanced to the Assembly floor, where a major
debate is expected. "It will be a big fight, but I think we
have a good chance of winning," said A 13 sponsor
Terry Friedman. Curtis Tucker Jr., sponsor of A 996,
said his bill would provide a balance between the
health concerns of workers and the economic health of
restaurants and other businesses with patrons who
smoke. A 996 was also supported by restaurant owner
Jimmy Murphy because he said R tries to "balance the
concerns and rights of all parties -- business, the
public, smokers and nonsmokers -- and Is therefore
worthy of broad support." (Sacramento Bee 5/20).
In other action, on 5/13 the California Assembly
passed A 291, which would prohibit smoking in the
Capitol and put into law Gov. Wilson's 2/93 Executive
Order (see TW 93-08) banning smoking in all State
buildings (fMA Leg-database). .~~
MARKETING & DISTRIBUTION
WA: SAMPUNG, VENDING RESTRICTION LAW APPROVED
On 5/18, the same day he approved the State's
higher tobacco taxes, Washingt;on Gov. Mike Lowry (R)
signed H 2071 Into law. The measure gives the Liquor
Control Board authority over tobacco sales, restricts
vending machine locations, sampling and the use of
coupons, and preempts new local ordinances. The law
takes effect on 7/25 (TMA Leg-database). .~~
ANTI-TOBACCO CAMPAIGNS
SURGEON GENERAL, AMA URGE FTC ACTION
AGAINST CIGARETTE ADS
At a 5/26 news conference, Surgeon General
Antonia Novello and the American Medical Association
(AMA) called on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
to stop cigarette manufacturers from using ads which
are allegedly targeted toward people under 18 years of
age. Both the AMA and Novello singled out 'Camel'
ads as an example of such advertising. "We don't mind
If they advertise. What we object to Is to use a comedic
figure to appeal to the youth of America," said AMA
President John Clowe. Clowe also announced the
winners of an AMA-sponsored contest for the best
children's poem, letter, essay or poster telling 'Old Joe
Camel' why he should stop smoking. Among the
175,000 entries, three contest winners were announced
with each winner receiving a $200 savings bond and a
two-day trip to Washington, DC to meet Novello. In
addition, each winner's school gets a $5,000 grant for
educational or recreational supplies (UPI 5/26).
FIRE-SAFE CIGARETTE MEETING SCHEDULED
The Consumer Product Safety Commission and a
technical advisory group will meet on 6/11 to discuss
the research status of fire-safe cigarettes. The meeting
will take place in Washington, DC (Product Safety
Letter 5/24).
4 TVV93-21

ANTI-TOBACCO REP. PROFITS FROM PM STOCK
In 4/93 Rep. Tom Foglietta (D-PA) Introduced
legislation to eliminate the tax deduction for expenses
Incurred In the advertisement of tobacco products,
however, he reportedly faAed to mention that in 1/93 he
sold all but 35 of his shares in Philip Morris Co. Inc.
(PM) which were worth between $16,002 and $65,000.
Financial disclosure forms lawmakers are required to
fite annually with the Clerk of the US House show
Foglietta purchased 150 shares of PM as recently as
12/92. He earned between $201 and $1,000 in interest
on the PM holdings last year, records show. "This
particular Investment shows what kind of public servant
Tom is," said Fogiletta spokesman Anthony Green. He
has taken actions that "directiy hurt his investments."
Green said Foglietta will sell his remaining 35 shares of
PM (State News Service 5/21).
LEAF & TRADE
USDA ANNOUNCES GRADE LOAN RATES
On 5/25, the USDA's Commodity Credit Corp.
(CCC) announced that grade loan rates for the 1993
crop of flue-cured tobacco, based on the price support
level of $1.577 per pound, range from $1.04 to $1.92
per pound. This compares to the 1992-crop grade loan
rates which ranged from $1.05 to $1.93 per pound,
based on the average support level of $1.56 perr pound.
The 1993-crop grade loan rates reflect minor
adjustments from the 1992 rates due to changes in the
level of price support as well as shifts In the historical
average grade distribution. The Flue-Cured Tobacco
Stabilization Corp., as in the past, will deduct 10 per
pound from the grade loan rates to help defray
administrative overhead costs (USDA News 5/25).
James F. Vari
Issues Manager
S
TW9.3-21
5

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