Daily Doc: TI, Mar 4, 1991: "To Do" list for killing cig taxes (MN)
Daily Doc: "To Do" list for killing cig taxes (MN)
Title: Plan to Defeat .24 cent tax in MN
TI, Mar 4, 1991
Bates #: TIMN0457671/7676
May 30, 2000
When a state proposes raising taxes on cigarettes, the Tobacco Institute (TI) and its members jump into action. Some of the activities in which the TI engages to kill tobacco taxes are revealed in this document, which is basically a "To Do" list for cigarette companies on how to kill a proposed cigarette tax increase the state of Minnesota. As evidenced by the following quotes, the tobacco industry's actions include setting up fake "grassroots" campaigns to oppose the tax, ( "...A grassroots campaign utilizing the sales forces of the tobacco companies and wholesalers,"), setting up phone banks and employing the cigarette company's coupon stuffers to call legislators, ("Flush out with PM and RJR if coupon stuffers can work to elicit calls into an 800 number,") and generating "fake" letters-to-the editor whose true origins are buried ("...Letters to the editor written by PM and signed by 3rd parties obtained by PM."), and, of course, by generating cynical "Thank You" letters written by cross-border cigarette retailers who could benefit from the increased business the tax might generate for them .(...[O]btain letters from Tribal Chairman to governor thanking him for proposing cigarette tax increase, release copies to press. PM working on this....)
It appears from this document that the considerable opposition to such a tax increase is generated, funded and orchestrated almost wholly by the tobacco industry. In the absence of the tobacco industry's meddling, one must wonder how easily such measures would pass?
CITATION
Title: Plan to Defeat .24 cent tax in MN
Type of Document: memo
Author: O'Connor, A.
Recipient: Donoho, P. (Tobacco Institute)
Date: 19910304
Site: Tobacco Institute document site http://www.tobaccoinstitute.com/
Page Count 6
Bates No. TIMN0457671/7676
URL: http://www.tobaccoinstitute.com/getallimg.asp?DOCID=TIMN0457671/7676
Litigation Usage: MN Selected
Found Using Search Criteria: Originally found on Tobacco Documents Online using search criteria "Action" http://www.tobaccodocuments.org/
QUOTES
Pat, I had hoped to have a total plan, but I am sending this in advance of receiving North State's report reflecting our strategy...It provides preliminary plans that were developed after the industry/allies meeting was held 2/22/91.
Participants at this meeting included Representatives from MN Grocers, MN Retailers, MN Tobacco & Candy, Northwest Tobacco and Candy, MN Vending Machine Operators Association, MN Licensed Beverage Association, Brown and Williamson Smokeless Tobacco, R.J.Reynolds and Philip Morris....
...A grassroots campaign utilizing the sales forces of the tobacco companies and wholesalers, consumers and individuals from company lists....will all be key players. ...
What follows is the material that is currently being assembled...
1. Economic impact statement of .24 cent pack cigarette tax increase and corresponding sales tax impact... 2. Bootlegging/cross border activity...
4...Map showing taxes in other states, especially border states...
PHASE I - February 25, 1991 to March 8, 1991
PHONE BANKS
...Based on the advice of our lobbyists, members of both the Senate and House Tax Committees will be targeted from RJR Smokers Rights Groups and Philip Morris Smokers Caucus group during the next two weeks. TI, on the other hand, will target border legislators first by contacting grocery stores and convenience stores along MN's borders....the TI phone bank operation will then target the House and Senate Tax Committee members for a final hit...
...Flush out with PM and RJR if coupon stuffers can work to elicit calls into an 800 number. Wholesalers have said they would be willing to do it...It appears carton stuffers will not be used....
...Letters to the editor written by PM and signed by 3rd parties obtained by PM. ...Op-Ed pieces for Trade Magazines to be developed by TI, PM and RJR... ...Further discussion needed on ways to generate letters from out of state businesses saying "We want your Business, shop here, prices are cheaper."... ...[O]btain letters from Tribal Chairman to governor thanking him for proposing cigarette tax increase, release copies to press. PM working on this.... ...Further discussion needed with PM, RJR and industry lobbyists as to what kind of Coalition we form....Changes in lobby law now require more reporting too. It would be nice to bury some of our costs, via a Coalition.
FUTURE ACTIONS
1. Different phone bank targets.
2. Media event showing van load of empty cigarette cartons driven from Kentucky to MN state Capitol demonstrating profits associated with bootlegging cigarettes under the Governor's proposal.
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