PM USA Government Relations Report, February 17, 1984

PM Sponsored Letter Writing Campaign This Philip Morris Government Relations report from 1984 shows Philip Morris was behind a letter-writing campaign to the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) to oppose a proposal to ban smoking on short commercial flights of two hours or less. The CAB sought public comment on the measure and received almost 20,000 letters in response, of which fully 72% opposed the ban -- a high number considering the smoking rate. C. Dan McKinnon, Chairman of the CAB, said among the thousands of letters they received he found a "sample letter" from Philip Morris that offered instructions for writing to the CAB to oppose the measure: "In preparing your letter, please use plain paper on personal letterhead and a plain envelope. Do not use Philip Morris letterhead or envelopes."

The report states,

Chairman McKinnon stated that the Board received a total of 19,899 letters in response to its smoking proposals. He said that 14,399 (72 .4%) opposed the Board's proposals or any further restrictions on smoking while 5,457 (27 .4%) favored those proposals or sought further restrictions on smoking. The remainder took a middle position or no position. McKinnon said that among the letters was a"sample letter" which stated, "In preparing your letter, please use plain paper or personal letterhead and a plain envelope. Do not use Philip Morris letterhead or envelopes." McKinnon then questioned just how much weight should be given to the final letter count.

Title	 PM USA Government Relations Report PM International Government Relations Report Org. Author PM Incorporated Per. Author	Carolyn M. Cheney, G.R. Scott Date	 19840217 (February 17, 1984) Type	 Memorandum, Report Bates	 2501042413/2416 Collection	 Philip Morris Pages	 4 URL: http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/tid/awj49e00