Tobacco Documents Online

TH F.. 1 1 OBACCO INSTITUTE )I.",\ 1'.1: 111.11 OI I I(.h I`\Kn Sl.AV M. LiC)N1:AN 13t'ILl)IV'G 7. SI;iTG l:~l) V'i( .0 F'rC,<<Ienl la~G COLE I30L!Lh:A':U:D SUS-1 sl-1+s15 G() L.Uk V. ('O N i)4tul December 13, 1990 Mr. Jerald Naifeh President, OATCD P.O. Box 390 Sapulpa, OK 74067-0390 Dear Jerry: Thank you for your recent letter concerning smokers' rights legislation in Oklahoma. I certainly understand your concerns about pursuing enactment of such a bill; and, in fact, I share them. Legislating is far from an exact science and when a bill is filed, sometimes virtually anything can happen. Over the past few years the Tobacco Institute and its member companies have become interested in this sort of law for the simple reason that, in larger and larger numbers, smokers are being subjected to spiteful and unreasonable discrimination in employment practices. A consensus that "something must be done" was reached; and, as a result, non-discrimination legislation has been introduced in 27 states and passed in 9 of them. Again, anytime a legislative bill is filed there is an element of risk that it may not be enacted in the form originally intended. Be assured that in the case of Oklahoma everything possible will be done to minimize that risk in route to gaining some protection for the consumers of our products. Also, please be assured that we will be consulting with OATCD counsel every step of the way in the bill's progress. Finally, should it appear at any point that the bill endangers any other industry-wide interest, the push for its passage will be stopped. FI LE NA CIUti:Al. OFf'it;6 • 18 7 5 1 S"IItF:Ea', Iv'OFt"I'Il%h"F.S1' • lti'A5IlINC'l'ON, L)[.: 2 0006 • 2U3-157-4tt0U TIOK 0030546

Thanks again for your letter and continuing cooperation. I am confident that we can work together and accomplish a successful 1991 legislative year. Best personal regards, Stan Boman Regional Vice President SB/lm cc Ken Nance Mary Thurber Jack Dillard TIOK 0030547