Daily Doc: PM, Dec, 1990: PM: Create a Public Backlash, Motivate People to Fight Gov't
Daily Doc: PM: Create a Public Backlash, Motivate People to Fight Gov't
Title: ETS Communication Plan 1991
PM, Dec, 1990
Bates #: 2026097517/7541
November 20, 2000
This is an outline of the Philip Morris Tobacco Company's (PM) strategic plans to fight workplace smoking bans in Europe.
Notice the anarchistic tone of PM's plans, for example:
"--Activate restaurant trade associations against government smoking regulations. . .It is interesting that the very governments that permit this company to operate within their borders are unaware of this company's workings to incite the people against the government.
--Create public backlash against social engineering. . .
--Mobilize smokers for active defence of their rights..."
Also, note the irony (or audacity) of the fact that Philip Morris, the very company that invented premption of local laws at the state level, employs as its rallying cry:
"--Discrimination against smokers is undemocratic and sets a dangerous precedent."Hmmm.... the average person who gains an understanding of how this company has co-opted the American legislative proces would think that preemption is undemocratic and sets a dangerous precedent.
Also, note PM's intent to concoct surveys which reflect its own ideas, and to hide behind "respected polling firms":
"A respected polling institution will be hired in 1991 to run "counter-surveys" when necessary...For example, if the WHO claims that 75% of the people want smoking bans on international flights, we can counter with our own survey. Since the polling firm will be responsible for dissemination, the poll will gain credibility."Also,notice how vastly expensive and grandiose plans roll so easily off PM's planning docket--strategies that public health entities could never afford to employ, like publishing books, commissioning videos and training and touring around speakers to speak on their behalf:
"--Identify speakers such as sociologists, psychologists, freedom advocates, etc. and place them in appropriate speaking forums....
-- Publish a book or series of articles on past and present paradoxes of free and democratic societies.
--Commission a video of the future when drinking milk is only by prescription.
--Mail articles and books to liberal journalists and freedom issues likely to generate support on the principles involved."
CITATION
Title: ETS Communication Plan 1991
Type of Document: Speech, outline
Author: EEC Corporate Affairs Department
Recipient:N/A
Date: 19901200
Site:Philip Morris document site http://www.pmdocs.com/cgi-bin/rsasearch.asp
Bates No. 2026097515/7541
Page Count: 25
URL: http://www.pmdocs.com/getallimg.asp?DOCID=2026097517/7541
Litigation Usage:None yet
QUOTES
The Workplace
OBJECTIVES:
--Minimize total smoke bans in European Countries --Position PM as a reasonable company and a credible source of information...
OBJECTIVES:
--Activate restaurant trade associations against government smoking regulations.
ETS- SURVEYS AND STUDIES
...Qualitative and quantitative research are powerful tools and PM will increasingly use them in its ETS communication program...A respected polling institution will be fired in 1991 to run "counter-surveys" when necessary...For example, if the WHO claims that 75% of the people want smoking bans on international flights, we can counter with our own survey. Since the polling firm will be responsible for dissemination, the poll will gain credibility.
SOCIAL ACCEPTANCE OBJECTIVES:
--Create public backlash against social engineering.
MESSAGES:
--Discrimination against smokers is undemocratic and sets a dangerous precedent.
SUMMARY:
The excessive anti-smoking activities are largely a U.S. phenomena which has migrated across the Atlantic. One message Europeans may be open to is "Enough is enough. PM will attempt to place anti-smoking activities in their proper extreme context by pointing to the inevitable discrimination against smokers and the associated loss of freedoms.
STRATEGY:
PM will identify sympathetic opinion leaders and point out the paradoxes and dangers surrounding the development in relation to smokers. The attacks against smokers are symbolic of a larger problem in today's society. The message will be softened by using examples so extreme, albeit real, that they appear comical. The goal is to provoke reflection and dialogue concerning the direction of society and the role of government.
METHODS:
--Identify speakers such as sociologists, psychologists, freedom advocates, etc. and place them in appropriate speaking forums....
-- Publish a book or series of articles on past and present paradoxes of free and democratic societies.
--Commission a video of the future when drinking milk is only by prescription.
--Mail articles and books to liberal journalists and freedom issues likely to garner support on the principles involved.
SMOKERS' RIGHTS GROUPS:
--Mobilize smokers for active defence of their rights... --Establish SRG's [smoker's rights groups] as counterparts of anti-groups.
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Anne Landman, Regional Program Coordinator
American Lung Association of Colorado, West Region Office
Grand Junction, CO
(970) 245-2120
afoxland@gj.net
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