From: afoxland@starband.net
Date: Mon, 01/26/04
Anne LandmanPosting Date: Monday, January 26, 2004
Status Report and Update Public Relations Strategy of U.S. Tobacco
Manufacturers Re Smoking & Health Controversy
Company/Source: Tobacco Institute
Document Date: 01 May 1976
Length: 8 pages
Bates No. TIOK0034140/4147
URL: http://tobaccodocuments.org/landman/TIOK0034140-4147.html
PDF Version:
http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/cgi/getdoc?tid=agu91f00&fmt=pdf&ref=results
This 8-page "Status Report and Update" from the Tobacco Institute
describes the function of the Tobacco Institute with relation to its member
companies in 1976:
[From Page 3]
"...the Institute acts as official spokesman for the industry, always
reflecting official [strategy] position agreed upon by all members."
The report summarizes the disinformation campaign conducted by the
Tobacco Institute on behalf of the American cigarette manufacturers:
[From Page 6]:
"In summation, then, the basic public relations strategy of American
manufacturers responding to the smoking and health controversy is funneled
through the Tobacco Institute and concentrates on the following techniques and
practices:
(1) Publicizing scientific research funded by the industry which
produces counter evidence to unfavorable findings or, at least, helps to keep
the question open,
(2) Conducting public information campaigns against the claims of
anti-cigarette groups and individuals..."
Thus, while today the tobacco industry defends itself by holding out
that "everyone knew" about the dangers of smoking, in 1976 they were fighting
hard and employing a broad range of public relations tactics to keep citizens of
the U.S. from concluding that smoking was indeed dangerous.
This document was used by the state of Oklahoma in its lawsuit against
the tobacco industry in 1997.
Quotes:
[From Page 3]"
Still, with rare exception, the bulk of public relations activity
concerning industry response to the smoking and health controversy emanates from
The Tobacco Institute. As a representative of member manufacturers, the
Institute acts as official spokesman for the industry, always reflecting
official [strategy] position agreed upon by all members.
[From Page 4]:
The Institute's role, then, is primarily reactionary and its
communications programs are designed, for the most part, to counteract, or
dispute, misunderstandings that are commonly held by the general public, or
inaccuracies published in the consumer press. The tools used to accomplish this
run the complete gamut of public relations techniques: letters-to-the-editor, a
bimonthly newsletter, feature article placements, pamphlets and brochures,
films, direct mail and the one-on-one communication with government officials.
During the past year, the Institute's new four media communicators
have made more than 700 public appearances, including radio-TV and newspaper
interview and speeches before clubs in 42 states and the District of Columbia.
[From Page 6]:
It seems clear that we are rapidly approaching a sociological
phenomenon which creates a hostile battlefield between smoker and non-smokers.
There is a considerable amount of social pressure, at some levels of society in
particular (young educated adults, middle class), to stop smoking and to
encourage general social disapproval of the practice.
In summation, then, the basic public relations strategy of
American manufacturers responding to the smoking and health controversy is
funneled through the Tobacco Institute and concentrates on the following
techniques and practices:
(1) Publicizing scientific research funded by the industry which
produces counter evidence to unfavorable findings or, at least, helps to keep
the question open,
(2) Conducting public information campaigns against the claims of
anti-cigarette groups and individuals. Much of this activity is directed at
reducing the current flurry of anti-smoking legislation on the local and state
government levels.
(3) Monitoring sociological and psychological factors that
condition consumer response to the smoking and health question and its
advocates.
(4) Encouraging industry-wide cooperation in voluntarily meeting
some of the demands of interests favoring regulation in order to reduce the
pressure for government control.
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Company/Source: Tobacco Institute
Author: Presumed author, the Tobacco Institute
Recipient: Presumed recipient, the Tobacco Institute
Region: United States
Litigation: Oklahoma AG
Type: REPORT
Subject: health belief
Health Effects
public awareness
public health policy
public relations
industry activity
industry influence
industry response
industry strategy
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