2004_0816_Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

`7F. 4+ • �C � r� ��1�+� � PI1�m �Q �ditM�R� 1 Pohrt of Sale Protectlon Program i �r � .�. }•.�i _ tii� � _ �*• YI _� 1 �.� � �� �C�Y1hY�on T�f1Y� ��"�4 � •-_•. �� �� J�an PJai1 �� AB 13 Restaulant AccommodaUon �rn �� �4 � fl�� �1/K� F1ardF�rn � �tif1fll � ��w �m4 Element 3 Callfomia Ta�,em AssociaUon Figure 1. Organization chart prepared by the Dolphin Media Group,s a Califomia Public Relations firm, probablyfor Philip Morris Tobacco, describingplanned efforts to fight implementation of California's smoke-freeworkplace law, AB13, which also includes restaurants and bars. This chart clearly shows that "prganizations" such as the California Business and RestaurantAlliance, San Diego Tavern and RestaurantAssociation, and Northern California Tavem and Restaurant Association are creations of the tobacco industry. Such organizations seek to appear to b2 legitimate representatives of the business community (as opposed to the tobacco industry) when dealing with the public, the press, and legislators. ports and complies with California's smoke-free bar k�v, which werit into ef- fect on January 1, 1998. A June 1998 statewide poll conducted by the nonpar- tisan Field Institute shaved that 85 per- cent of bar patmns go to ban as much or more than they d id before the ordinance. At the sarrie time, local health depart- merits reported that campliance is good (90% in restaurarit-barcombinationsand 70% in stand-aloneban), and is improv- ing over time_� The tobacco industry h� created'res- taurant associations" since the early 1480s, when it createdthe Beverly.Hills Restaurarit Association for purposes of seeking a repeal of Beverly Hills' clean indoor air ordinance' As documented i n the history of how the New Yorlc ordi- nance passed, the industry is continuing this strategy. Public health advocates should investigate carefully the bona fides of "restaurant" or "business" gmups that suddenly appear willing to spend large amounts of money opposing to- bacco control ordinances, with reason- able sounding r�arr�es like the Califomia Busiriess and Restaurarit Alliance or the �af � Diego Tavem and Restaurarit Asso- ciation (Figure ��,#F�'�" In addition, since the industry n�v knows that publ ic health advocates are looking for this tao- tic, it may be moving to worlc through legitimate restaurant organizations, per- haps by funding their efforls or dirediy or indirectly underwriting their lobbying e�enses. Public health advocates should demand that ar7y organization that opposes a local clean indoor air ordi- nance disclosefully its involvementwith the tobacco industry or its public rela- tions apparatus. # ��