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i THE TOBACCO INSTITUTE 1tt :, 1 S1ItF f:T. \c)ft7IiWFS7 WAtililACTON. 1)( _'tNmh _1u: a;,--iHnu . HIIn -7_4~M1'Il January 22, 1986 Mr. I. Howard Diener Senior Vice President - Purchasing Rite Aid Corporation P.O. Box 3165 Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17105 Dear Mr. Diener: HO(;I:R I.. \iO7.1\'l:O 5~ niur 1 i • I':r ul nl tit,~t • :1 li~it The tobacco industry values greatly the support and assistance provided by Rite Aid Corporation over the years in challenging anti-tobacco legislation around the country. Because of this relationship, I want to take this opportunity to respond to the points you raised in your recent letter to several tobacco manufacturing companies concerning pending "minors" legislation in ilaryland (S 116). You may be aware that it is the long-standing position of the tobacco industry that smoking is an adult custom and that the cigarette manufacturers do not want youth to smoke--as a matter of policy and a matter of practice. In 1963-64, for instance, the industry voluntarily stopped all advertising and promotional activities in school and college publications and on campuses; the industry also adopted a cigarette advertising code prohibiting advertising, marketing and sampling directed at young people. As a general principle, then, it is our position not to be involved in legislative issues dealing with "minors". And, since the proposed legislation would change the current law on by increasing the age of purchase from "under 16" to "under 18", we have instructed our state legislative counsel in Maryland not to take a position on this legislation. Retailers would be required to continue to determine the age of each purchaser under the proposed legislation just as they must now determine the age under current law. If this bill passes the legislature, it would place Maryland with over half the states prohibiting cigarette sales to ~p "minors" under age 18. CT~ ~ G]

; January 22, 1986 Page Two I trust this is responsive to your concerns about the Maryland legislation specifically, and that you can understand and appreciate the industry position on "minors" legislation generally. We would also hope that we could continue to count on your support as the entire tobacco industry faces mounting pressure in the Congress, state legislatures and on the municipal level. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you wish to discuss this matter further. Sincerely, RLM:gc cc: Tobacco Institute Executive Committee State Activities Policy Committee

R E C E I V E D ,+ A N Z '! 1060 J. K. CHERRY, JR. ,~