FDA mobilization options

FDA Mobilization Options

This 1995 Philip Morris (PM) memo shows how PM mobilizes the employees of its food and drink subsidiaries as a lobbying force against tobacco control policies. To create the appearance of a "grass roots" uprising, PM provides its employees (and those of its subsidiaries, like Kraft Foods and Miller Beer) with telephone lines ("phone banks"), letter writing booths, "desk drops," pre-stamped envelopes, carbon paper, etc. and lets employees know it is "in their interests" to oppose measures PM doesn't like. If a subsidiary does not wish to join PM's "grass roots mobilization," PM applies pressure to the subsidiary's senior management to get them to join the protest:

"Last November we asked Kraft and Miller to distribute a memo to their employees asking for letters into the FDA. As I mentioned yesterday, Kraft chose not to participate...We will need for our senior management to communicate with Kraft, and probably Miller senior management before we can count on their participation...Once KF and Miller have 'bought in' to the idea, it is important that the word trickle down through the organization that helping oppose FDA is in KF's and Miller's interests." PM also uses a "dictation program," in which they have "trained operators" call consumers and ask if they want to write a protest letter to their legislator or a government agency. The operator then types up the letter and mails the typed letters to the consumer (along with the requisite number of copies and pre-stamped envelopes).

To protest a proposed increase in the federal excise tax (FET) on cigarettes, Philip Morris did a mass mailing of one million pieces. It generated 20,000 letters protesting the health measure, a 2% response rate. Even at the bulk rate for first class (and excluding printing and stuffing costs), such a mailing would cost PM approximately $260,000 in postage alone. This represents a net postage cost of about $13.00 per actual response obtained.

Other groups PM mobilizes to protest health measures include their suppliers, wholesalers, shareholders, and retailers.

Title FDA MOBILIZATION OPTIONS Org. Author Philip Morris Per. Author Christine Donohue Date 19950209 Type MEMORANDUM; REPORT Bates 2044771568/1571 URL: http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/tid/wcf36e00

search_term=grassroots mobilization kraft Additional suggested search criteria: Grassroots mobilization Kraft, grassroots mobilization Miller, Field Action Team operating companies