Tobacco Documents Online

January 20, 1987 MEMORANDUM i To.: Peter Sparber From: Jeff Ross ~~- Re: Commissary Issue Progress Meeting--01/16/8T The following represents a summary of our meeting on Friday to discuss TI progress on the commissary issue. Attendance included: Rita Walters (FRD), Ed Battison and Paula Duhaime (SAD), Peter Sparber and Jeff Ross (PAD). Once you have had an opportunity to review, please let me know if I should convert this information into a memo for Philip Morris. o Battison has reviewed all materials provided by Amy Millman and Wendy Burrell of Philip Morris and is summarizing arguments. These include political and policy arguments as well as quantitative arguments--the economic value of the commissary benefit to the military family. Battison will complete his initial points this week and determine whether we need additional information. o As a follow up to the commissary coordination group meeting held on January 7, Walters requested Jim Juliana (TI consultant) to contact George Hennrikus (legislative director for the Retired Officers Association) concerning organizing a meeting of military groups to discuss potential threats to the commissary system. Juliana has reported Hennrikus's agreement that this would be a good idea. The issue also was raised at a recent ad hoc committee meeting on commissary benefits. The general consensus at that meeting was also favorable. Hennrikus and Juliana will meet in the next two weeks to pull together an agenda. Walters, Millman and Dick White will meet with Juliana as soon as possible to discuss how we would like the meeting to be structured. ~ O r ~a _Q .,.~ W ~ W CTt

Sparber Memorandum January 20, 1987 Page Two I o Walters reported that Juliana has emphasized the importance of accurate statistics on the impact of the military's tobacco cessation program on cigarette sales. Walters expressed concern that Department of Defense (DOD) figures are probably not reliable. Battison will assess sales figures from DOD to determine their accuracy'. Ross will discuss with John Rupp (Covington & Burling) obtaining reliable sales figures from military,sales managers at individual companies. o TI commissary draft survey instrument (attitudinal and marketing) has been completed by a polling firm and is currently being reviewed by Lewis, White and Panzer. If we proceed on schedule, we expect to have results by March. o Walters reported that Philip Morris is pulling together their own survey--we have the initial draft. Walters will clarify with Millman what role if any we will play. o At our January 9 meeting we discussed securing a spokesperson for military groups concerned with the commissary issue utilizing our materials. Walters recently discussed with Mac McKinney, legislative director of the Noncommissioned Officers Association. McKinney indicated he was aware of a number of possibilities and would provide us with a list of candidates in the next few weeks. o Sparber suggested that Ross consider possibilities for public affairs counsel to promote spokesperson. Ross will explore possibilities. o Walters reported that TI staff is continuing to work with members of Congress (House and Senate) on the commissary issue. Walters noted that chairmanship of the House Armed Services committee will be key. Rep. Marvin Leath is challenging current chairman Rep. Les Aspin. Walters indicates that Leath would be supportive on the commissary issue. ~ cc: Ed Battison ~ Paula Duhaime ~ Susan Rita Stuntz Walters .,Cp ~ Cx~ ~ C4