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Show __The Salt Lake Tribune NATION Sunday, August 4, 1996 ’ Anti-Smoking Group Aims to Snuff bulk of tobacco money GOP given has been a major contributor to congressional candidates and both the Competition From Tobacco Industry BYRICHARD WHITMIRE GANNETT NEWS SERVICE WASHINGTON — They are the Muhammad Alis of Washington lobbyists, floating like butterflies while stinging the tobacco industry in its most vulnerable hour. While you may never have heard of The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, you probablyrememberseeing a frustrated Bob Dole berating NBC's Katie Couric of “The Today Show™ over neverending questions about tobacco addiction. That confrontation with the mild-mannered Couric, which is one of the most searing images of the campaign so far, was no acci- water that partiy led to the coalition’s creation, a result of $30 million in grants from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the American Cancer Society. Leading the coalition is media expert William Novelli, former president of the huge advertising firm of Porter/Novelli, and lawyer Matthew Myers, who handles the inside maneuvering through Washington politics. Their first blitz came Jan. 2, the last day of the comment period over FDA jurisdiction, when the tobacco industry called a press conference decry: led bureaucratic meddling from Washington. Weset up our pop stand about 15 feet down the hall from them dent. Couric and other reporters at the Marriott here in D.C.,” No- began velli said. “We had dueling press conferences. We refuted everything theyhad to say.” In the nation’s newspapers the following morning, every paragraph of complaint from the tobacco industry was matched by another paragraph from the coalition on the problems of youth smoking. “We're very familiar with the people who make up this new group,” said Tom Lauria, spokes- asking more questions abouttobacco because the anti-tobacco lobby led by the coalition of health, educational and children’s groups has suddenly become more media-wise. The Tobacco Industry, accus- tomed to having its way with what its opponents sayis a $6 billion-ayear annual marketing budget. appears truly nettled over this group There is more than public-relations gamesmanship at stake be- man for The Tobacco Institute, ‘because they're old enemies of co industry. What the Campaign wants, and the industry. There's nothing new to them except the funding they get from the Robert Wood John- tween the coalition and the tobac: what Philip Morris Inc. and R.J Reynolds Tobacco Co. fear, is a decision by the Food and Drug son Foundation.” The CommonCausestudy docu- Administration (FDA) to take ju- menting the $20 million in tobac- risdiction over nicotine as a controlled drug. President Clinton’s decision in August 1995 to consider an FDA takeover was the blood-in-the- co political contributions since 1986 was unveiled at a coalition press conference, and soon reporters across the country were asking about pro-tobacco votes ‘The tobaceo industry ‘Tobacco Contributions to the Republican and Democratic national party committees: 1991-92 $1,901,875 (67.5%) his 18-year-old son. The news was Dole attacking Couric as part of a “liberal media” cabal rehashing tobacco issues. But after Myers’ son listened to the video once, he said, “Dad, did you hear that? He just endorsed a ban on advertising.” $923,364 (32.7%) Senate, presidential (Jan. 1995-March 1995) For the past two weeks. Dole The group plans this month to celebrate the anniversaryof Clin- ton’s decision to consider FDA control over tobacco. And Clinton’s actual decision on FDA controls is likely to come before the election, Myers predicted. And whynot? Myers asks, citing polls showing 86 percent of Americans favor that regulation. The tobacco industry argues E a An active ulcer is suggested by upper abdominal pain that valuation occurs with fasting, Coordinator and Treatment is relieved by food or antacid, recurs Palmer Gl. Division, of Patients 2.3 hours after relief psigrhoel with Active Disease. and awakensthe person at night (12AM-4AM). sad Chnioa 581-8674 B oF Gannett News ‘Source: Center for Responsive Politics the coalition really is an anti-to- bacco group cloaking itself in the mantle of children. PHYSICIANS WEIGHT MANAGEMENT Myers disputes it, saying, “This is more than just packaging,it’s the nub of the problem. Ninety percent of the people who start smoking begin to smoke as children.” Hesaid he and Novelli regard the Marlboro Man “the most brilliant child-marketing strategy ever created in the United States.” Said Myers, “If we can break that linkage between youthful rebellion and tobacco use, we can break the toehold tobacco has on our kids. That won't happen over- safer than ever before. night.” Directed by hens contison — ie Coe Physical Exams th cutlass Pwrnar ® Double ‘Wash | ° Hot Wax | | ¢ Dry l 99S I --3 ‘ _(1979-June 1995) | SUPER | WASH I: oe $16,440 Senate campaigns peeea a eee Fy DUODENAL ULCER STUDY : : Gore $25,500 n America (Dole’s PAC) $100,700 staff issue a press release “ap has managed to put the tobacco issue behind him, but Myers doesn’t think thesilence willlast. N A (Jan. 1978-Dec.1994) smoke. As soon as Myers walked into the office the next day he had the fy his stands on tobacco. . ee ‘ $356,150 144.1%) Political action committee contributions to candidates’ committees: Ctinton Dole Does not accept tobacco PAC money $63,100 Senate campaigns (Jan. 1979-Dec. 1994) $9,000 Presidential campaigns quick Dole aside nobody else touched — Dole saying “just cut out the advertising” as a way of getting fewer Americans to stories about Dole tryingto clari- 1993-94 $2,162,413 (85.9%) = Tobacco industry PAC money Not until Myers replayed the tape five times did he pick up a advertising,” read the release, which prompted another day of 5 in 1994,their share of tobacco contributions has increased. and youth smoking, even Katie vertising, we agree with Sen. Dole that it is better to “just cut out the Y of the House and Senate tooo rg Hedublican parties.Since Republicans won control Couric. Myers didn't see the DoleCouric interview live, but he took a tape home and watched it with plauding” Dole “While some people are saying that we should trust the tobacco industry to regulate their own ad- 3 . _____emeneroe_ | 293-3000 6095 South 300 East Boys’ pull-on shorts Reg. $14-$16 Saveon a huge selection in solids andplaids; sizes S-M-L-XL. Boys’ shorts s¢ Boys 8-20 Reg. $16-$17 Boys’ screen-printed tees from Chump’ Lifeforms’ Sting® and others 11.99 rib tops in burgundy andblue: sizes S-M-L-XL. Girls 7-16 Reg. $18-$23 Save large selectionincl great looksfron Kids Headquart Day Kids", Weekend Reg. $22 Belted corduroy andBuster Brown". 8 Girls’ knit top Reg. $20 Long-sleeved striped walking shorts in assorted colors ...16.99 mock-neck sweater in red or black; sizes $-M-L. Girls 7-1¢ Reg. $21 Twill s khaki and ble SHOP AL TORES MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY 10 A.M.-9 PM, (EXC SALT LAKE DOWNTOWN AND ZCMI II-FOOTHILL: SATURDA |
