Tobacco Documents Online

Outlines strategies to deal with "key Issue" of Social Acceptability. Discusses: 1) strengthening of industry organizations; 2) strengthening Public Affairs Department; 3) support of the smoker's decision to smoke and the "social custom of smoking"; 4) establishment of "a more aggressive smoking and health posture for the Tobacco Industry"; 5) the reduction of impact of adverse legislation, litigation, and regulation; 6) the development of "coalitions and alliances"; and 7) management training on issues.

States "the public smoking issue is one of our most frustrating -- and certainly our most difficult -- challenge," and adds that author is "especially pleased to be able to report the following news from this past week:"1. Veterans of Foreign Wars resolution "opposing Congressional efforts to restrict smoking in Department of Defense and veterans facilities"; 2. postponement of smoking ban on Maryland's "Chessie" railroad system, and the lifting of a smoking ban on Muse Airlines; 3. receipt of first monthly staff report "on the progress of our workplace and restaurant 'voluntary policies' efforts" listing "quality contacts with 32 businesses, unions, and other organizations as well as eight state restaurant associations."

Offers a "recap [of] the current status of " a Winston - Salem sign ordinance. States a "suggested approach to the regulation of outdoor signs, as drafted by us, was submitted to the City/County Planners." Discuses differences between the submitted suggestions and the proposal of the Planners. Asserts "the document we submitted comprehensively treats the subject and reflects a position that is not open to any substantive compromise."

States "the State Activities Committee concluded on September 30 not to recommend an organized opposition to" the proposed Los Alamos initiative. Indicates "efforts will be made to achieve an acceptable ordinance through the City Council."

Reviews "matters at the State Activities Policy Committee meeting of July 20." Indicates author "strongly encourages reexamination of the need for detailed minutes of the Committee's meetings." States "Ken Wells expressed his view that important legislative campaigns (Texas, Suffolk) should be formulated and led by local lobbyists - with State Activities Committee actively engaged." Adds "I urged that the State Activities Department . . . be given some running room and be allowed to function without company participation in every matter."

States "we agree with the plan, through the TI [Tobacco Institute], to support the legal attack on the Collier County smoking restriction law by the Florida Restaurant Association." Adds "we assume the matter will be closely monitored by State Activities [Division of Tobacco Institute] and C&B [Covington & Burling] - and that there will not be total delegation of legal and public relations safeguards."

Discusses plans to prevent increases in excise taxes in California. Includes the following sections: 1) Political and Legislative Situation, containing legislative outlook for 1984, legislative process information, support groups including Tobacco Action Network, Retailers and Retailer Organizations, Tobacco Institute, Industry Members and Subsidiaries, Allied Industries, and Business Associations, and a historical background of cigarette taxes in California; 2) Position Papers on a Cigarette Tax Increase in California, containing reasons for opposing cigarette taxes, a "one page fact sheet for legislators," and discussion of economic impact of cigarette tax increases; 3) Legislative Strategy.

Discusses hearings on federal excise tax sunset. Includes information regarding state trade associations and individuals delivering testimony at the hearings, as well as political support from within the Senate and from state elected officials.

States "in the future, as minutes of the Interagency Committee created by the new labeling law become available, we will provide summaries for your information." Adds "I thought it advisable, however, to provide the full text herewith of the first meeting minutes so that you and your colleagues would have an opportunity to see the character of this new operation." Opines "unsurprisingly, the Committee appears to have an agenda quite similar to that of the Coalition on Smoking OR Health," and notes "a degree of preoccupation with tobacco manufacturers' domestic and international marketing practices . . . the subject was voted as the most popular for future attention."

Discusses plans to prevent increases in excise taxes in Texas. Includes the following sections: 1) Political and Legislative Situation, containing legislative outlook for 1984, legislative process information, support groups including Tobacco Action Network, Retailers and Retailer Organizations, Tobacco Institute, Industry Members and Subsidiaries, Allied Industries, and Business Associations, and a historical background of cigarette taxes in California; 2) Position Papers on a Cigarette Tax Increase in California, containing reasons for opposing cigarette taxes, a "one page fact sheet for legislators," and discussion of economic impact of cigarette tax increases; 3) Legislative Strategy.

Series of tables comparing state smoking laws. Provides citation, summary of laws-including places where smoking is restricted and penalties for breaking laws, and source. Does not include all fifty states.

Discusses plans to prevent increases in excise taxes in Oklahoma. Includes the following sections: 1) Political and Legislative Situation, containing legislative outlook for 1984, legislative process information, support groups including Tobacco Action Network, Retailers and Retailer Organizations, Tobacco Institute, Industry Members and Subsidiaries, Allied Industries, and Business Associations, and a historical background of cigarette taxes in California; 2) Position Papers on a Cigarette Tax Increase in California, containing reasons for opposing cigarette taxes, a "one page fact sheet for legislators," and discussion of economic impact of cigarette tax increases; 3) Legislative Strategy.

Discusses actions against proposed clean indoor air ordinance in Manatee County, Florida. Requests approval for Tobacco Action Network volunteers to take part in writing letters and making phone calls, attend a public hearing, and to contact "friends, acquaintances and customers" to urge them to write letters "opposing the proposed ordinance." Adds "the Area Director is developing alliances aimed at encouraging local businesses and other interested parties to attend the public hearing and testify in opposition to the proposal . . . a witness list is being compiled . . . the Area Director will also attempt to meet individually with each Commission member prior to the hearing to explain the industry position."

Discusses procedures for arranging scientific testimony on indoor air quality issues on the state, local, and federal levels. Describes identification of legislative need for scientific witness by Tobacco Institute field staff or legislative counsel and the establishment of "availability of witnesses directly with coordinator at the Center for Environmental Health and Human Toxicology and/or ACVA." Addresses procedures for public affairs briefings and media tours as well.

Informs of a public meeting "in the Capitol Building in Hartford" on the "no-smoking in public places issue." States the Tobacco Institute has "asked all manufacturers and other pro-tobacco groups to have local people attend this meeting" and that "the outcome of this meeting will determine which no-smoking bills will be introduced in Connecticut in 1979."

Outlines a plan for the Tobacco Action Network (TAN). Informs that "TAN has been created to help the Tobacco Industry meet the challenges presented by the anti-smoking forces." States that to accomplish its purpose, "volunteer TAN members at the local level will be encouraged to support the legislative action efforts of a professional TAN organization at the national and state levels."

Attaches a "talking paper" discussing Tobacco Action Network (TAN) status and activity in the tobacco states. Reviews: 1) the status of TAN nationally; 2) the role of TAN in the tobacco states as a result of the formation of the National Tobacco Council; 3) recommended procedures for implementing TAN in the tobacco states with member company salaried employees and wholesaler employees. Asserts "numerous examples demonstrate that, without TAN involvement and thus without having identified thousands who care enough to get involved, many key industry issues would have been lost by default," and that "because of mounting anti-tobacco pressures . . . the time is at hand to expand the TAN program into all states."

States "over the last year, we have been examining closely the possibilities of adding advertising to our arsenal of resources available to fight the public smoking/indoor air quality issue." Indicates "two sets of adds " have been "developed and extensively tested": "One group, targeting the general public, places environmental tobacco smoke in its proper context as a symptom rather than a cause of poor indoor air quality"; "the second group, targeted to restaurateurs, cites business losses that resulted from the Beverly Hills smoking ban to urge continued opposition to restrictive legislation." Adds first group will target organized labor, and would be "sponsored by a third party," mentioning ACVA Atlantic, and "the [Tobacco] Institute would sign the restaurant ads."

Predicts upcoming state level legislation on taxation, self-extinguishing cigarettes, smoking restrictions, sampling, and "other issues." Charts and prioritizes states according to issues. Contains budgets for 10 states with the following information itemized: lobbyist fees; contributions to wholesale organizations; and campaign contributions.

States "enclosed is the revised 1984 budget proposed for the State Activities Division" (not included). Indicates items contributing to a "substantial reduction in the budget." Groups states and District of Columbia into eight regions, and lists funding total for each regional field office of the State Activities Division.

Responds to request for an "'in-depth, detailed and extensive evaluation' of the State Affairs Department [State Activities Division] of the [Tobacco] Institute." States "this document is the final report." Discusses changes to State Activities Division, including changes in: Division management; field staff organization and interaction with lobbyists; decision making and implementation; clearance policies; role of, and member company communication with, lobbyists; State Program communications; support systems, including Tobacco Action Network, alliances and coalitions, National Tobacco Council, and Smokers Groups; public relations; contributions; mission statement; issue planning and prioritization.

Memorandum written in response to "the New York Public Health Council's actions." Lists results of a review of the powers of the Boards of Health for the fifty states and the District of Columbia "to determine whether any other state board has the power exercised by the New York Public Health Council. Divides states into three categories, those with powers similar to New York State's, those states without a health board or commission, and those states with boards, but without "broad or emergency powers."

Discusses objectives regarding: political action; the establishment of "working political action alliance[s] with key tobacco and agricultural associations in tobacco growing states"; Pride in Tobacco; and communication with state allies.

Presents "the legislative portion of the comprehensive public smoking program" to the Tobacco Institute Executive Committee. States "our current legislative efforts are on target" because "we continue to win more than 90 percent of the state battles we face . . . however, sustained effort and a few new approaches are required." Indicates a "new, aggressive stance" to make anti-tobacco groups "react and respond to our issues . . . to expend their efforts and dollars to try to protect what is already on the books." Discusses new approaches of "repealing/modifying/rolling back existing legislation . . . of promoting ventilation . . . or IAQ [Indoor Air Quality] legislation . . . and smokers' rights legislation."

Lists "added budget requirements" for Tobacco Action Network State Activities. Includes funding requests for personnel, travel, State Association, Massachusetts Initiative, material, California Special Project, current commitments, and "other requirements."