Tobacco and the Presidential Nominating Conventions
SCARC ACTION ALERT -- August 9, 1996
Tobacco and the Presidential Nominating Conventions
We're asking politicians to stop trading our kids' lives for tobacco money. And we're urging voters to tell their elected officials that our kids are not for sale, and to stop taking tobacco cash.
--William Novelli, President, The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, press release of The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, July 11, 1996.
SUMMARY
The upcoming presidential nominating conventions provide a good opportunity to draw attention to current issues in tobacco control. The Republican National Convention will be held in San Diego from August 12 through August 15 and the Democratic National Convention will run from August 26 through August 29. As the conventions begin, the spotlight is on several topics related to tobacco and politics.In the last presidential election, tobacco sponsorship was highly visible at both conventions. Four years later, the atmosphere has changed significantly. Not only is tobacco sponsorship considered less acceptable, but thanks to California's strong smokefree workplace laws, the Republican National Convention will be the first smokefree convention held by either party.
August also marks the one-year anniversary of the proposed FDA regulations' release, and the final regulations are expected to be issued before the Democratic convention or sometime soon after the conventions. During the debate that is sure to follow, Democrats should be reminded that President Clinton supports the regulations, and Republicans should know that the issue of tobacco regulation cuts across partisan lines and goes straight to the issue of public health.
For the first time in the nation's history, a state political party -- the Texas Democratic party -- has decided to reject tobacco donations across the board and other states are considering following Texas' lead. In addition, a number of political candidates have declared their boycott of tobacco funding after Republican presidential hopeful Bob Dole denied that nicotine is truly addictive, inspiring a volley of media coverage on tobacco companies' political influence. Ensuing reports of bipartisan acceptance of tobacco money further stimulated discussion of the issue.
These developments create a window of opportunity for advocates to win broad support for tobacco control issues within each political party. Politicians and party officials should be reminded that tobacco control is a good "character" issue to support in this election, in which candidates are fighting for voters' trust and the moral high ground. Politicians need to realize that rejecting tobacco money is a clear winner in the values battle.
The San Diego and National chapters of the American Lung Association, in conjunction with the Coalition on Smoking OR Health, have planned a number of activities around the San Diego convention. These include a Rally Against Tobacco on August 12, the opening day of the convention, across from the convention center; ads, information kits for delegates, and contacts with media representatives at the convention; and meeting the GOP "Victory Express" train along the route and in San Diego.
The Chicago and National chapters of the American Lung Association are planning actions around the Chicago convention, including a demonstration on August 26, at 4pm, at the United Center.
The demonstration fills the first time slot for designated protests at the Chicago convention.
OBJECTIVES
1) To use the Republican and Democratic Conventions to spread awareness of upcoming FDA regulations and other current issues in tobacco control.2) To encourage politicians and political parties to reject tobacco industry donations.
SUGGESTED ACTIONS
1. Contact the Republican and Democratic National Chairpersons to express your views on tobacco control issues, urging each political party to stop accepting tobacco political contributions and support FDA regulations:Haley Barbour, National Chairman
Republican National Committee
310 First Street SE,
Washington, DC 20003
Phone number: (202) 863-8774,
Fax number: (202) 863-8774
Don Fowler, National Chairman
Democratic National Committee
430 South Capitol Street, SE,
Washington, DC 20003
Phone number: (202) 863-8000, Fax number: (202) 863-8174
2. Register your views online at the Democratic and Republican party websites, which provide a forum for citizen comments on each party's platform. The websites can be found at: http:/www.democrats.org, and http:\www.rnc.org
3. Take advantage of the media coverage of the conventions to promote coverage of tobacco's influence in politics: meet with your local media contact or editorial board, write a letter to the editor, or provide your local newspaper with pertinent background information to provide "meat" for a companion story to convention coverage.
4. To get involved with the San Diego American Lung Association events listed above, call Debbie Kelley or Bob Doyle at ALA of San Diego and Imperial Counties, at (619) 297-3901. To get involved with the Chicago American Lung Association events, call Janet Williams or Barbara Silvestri at ALA of Chicago, at (312) 243-2000.
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** There is no need to ask for permission. **
IMPORTANT REMINDER: Government employees and non-profit groups are prohibited from endorsing candidates or otherwise engaging in partisan political activity or "electioneering," as defined by the IRS. Restrictions also apply to lobbying by non-profits and recipients of government funds. Please be certain that your activities are consistent with your funding sources. When in doubt, consult your legal counsel.
Produced by: Smoking Control Advocacy Resource Center (SCARC)
Address: Advocacy Institute
1707 L Street NW., Suite 400
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: 202-659-8475, Fax: 202-659-8484
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