Philip Morris tries to rile smokers into action
Jump to full article: Boston (MA) Herald, 2008-04-18
Author: Jay Fitzgerald
Intro: Philip Morris USA is trying to light up opposition to the state's proposed $1-a-pack cigarette tax hike.
The huge tobacco company is posting fliers at local convenience stores urging customers to oppose the tax increase and to call their legislators to block the plan - which has already passed the House and is now before the Senate.
The company has also started a "Massachusetts Legislative Hotline" for smokers to call to get tips on what to say to lawmakers. The "hotline" even automatically transfers calls to lawmakers' State House offices.
"Enough is enough," the Philip Morris hotline recording says of the proposed tax hike.
Bill Phelps, a spokesman for Altria, the Richmond, Va.-based parent company of Philip Morris, declined to say how much Philip Morris is spending on its campaign.
But he confirmed Philip Morris is "providing materials" to retailers that sell cigarettes.
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