[Intl-tobacco] Who's Funding The Fight Against The Smoking Ban In B.C.? (fwd)

[Robert Weissman]

Who's Funding The Fight Against The Smoking Ban In B.C.?

by Darlene Heidemann
Source: BCTV, Thursday, 6/15/00

Remember the smoking ban that was recently lifted from all the bars and
pubs in the province? The Worker's Compensation Board is trying to get
that ban re-instated. And public hearings are being held around the
province landing this week in Prince George. But in the middle of it all
questions are being raised about who's funding the fight against the ban.
Could big tobacco be involved?

Darlene Heidemann, reporting: "The tobacco industry says it is staying out
of the smoking ban battle-between B.C.'s Worker's Compensation Board and
the hospitality industry. But now cigarette manufacturers admit to
funneling $800,000 a year into a program run by the Canadian Hotel
Association."

Rob Cunningham, Author of "Smoke and Mirrors: the Canadian Tobacco War":
"The tobacco industry has a long history of using front groups in Canada
for opposing smoking restrictions through other organizations. In the
1980's and 90's they used a group called the Smokers Freedom Group."

David Laundy, Canadian Tobacco Manufacturers Council: "...The hotel's
association is saying it's not going to the WCB fight and I have to
believe them. (Is there anyway to track the money?) I don't know, I'd have
to contact the group that runs it."

Darlene Heidemann, reporting: "The program is called "Courtesy of Choice".
So far it has received 3.2 million tobacco dollars. B.C.'s hospitality
industry can access the money and everyone involved denies the fund has
anything to do with the fight against the smoking ban."

Vance Campbell, Coalition of Hospitality Organizations: "The group that
speaks on behalf of all the organizations has not taken any money from
tobacco. (You say your umbrella group has not, what about individual
members?) I don't know."
 

Darlene Heidemann, reporting: "Since January, many of the same owners
fighting the ban have installed cigarette vending machines following a
marketing push by tobacco companies."

Nick Losito, Vancouver-Richmond Health Board: "Talking to somebody within
the industry, it sounds like it was a January to March or April program -
an aggressive marketing campaign - this year right around when the WCB's
smoking ban was supposed to come into place."

Darlene Heidemann, reporting: "And there's another connection between
Vance Campbell's Association and the Courtesy of Choice program. Both have
hired the same PR consultant - a man by the name of Tim Crowhurst who has
been doing a lot of work behind the scenes."

Vance Campbell, Coalition of Hospitality Organizations: (There is no other
connection other than the advice of a media consultant...We hired the firm
for its expertise.)

Rob Cunningham, Author: "We don't know exactly what the money has been
used for - we think the tobacco company...and a ventilation alternative."

Darlene Heidemann, reporting: "Tobacco kills and now the question is "Is
tobacco money killing the hospitality industry's arguments against the WCB
and its ban"."