 Wysłany: Sob 12:38, 08 Sty 2011 Temat postu: Newport Cigarettes Fights to Snuff Menthol Ban-5 |
|
| Newport Cigarettes Fights to Snuff Menthol Ban--5
(Reference http://www.olymall.com) Marlboro Cigarettes, Harry C. Alford, chief executive of the National Black Chamber of Commerce, penned an editorial circulated by Ms. Roy in which he argued against a menthol ban. Mr. Alford says Lorillard is a member of the NBCC's public-policy council, paying $35,000 in annual dues to work with the chamber on issues of common interest. He says the editorial effort "was not in any way influenced" by the chamber's partnership with Lorillard. "African-Americans like their Newport cigarettes, and there is no reason why they should not be allowed to have them," says Mr. Alford. Newport Cigarettes, Such talk has angered some health advocates, especially in the black community. Dr. Louis Sullivan, who served as U.S. health secretary in the first Bush administration, says he is "very disappointed and very distressed" that some African-American groups are allowing "themselves to be used by tobacco companies." Carol McGruder, co-chair of the African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council, labeled the black organizations in Lorillard's camp as "front groups" for the tobacco industry. Newport Cigarettes,Camel cigarettes, Mr. Alford of the black chamber group said his organization is "no more" a front group for the tobacco industry "than I would say [the others] are front groups for antismoking lobbyists." Mr. Innis said his group, CORE, hasn't accepted contributions from tobacco companies in the past five years or so and that critics should "be careful about casting aspersions." Mr. Lee, head of Noble, as the Alexandria, Va., law-enforcement group is known, didn't respond to interview requests or questions about whether his organization has received funding from Lorillard or other tobacco companies. Newport Cigarettes, Noble has received financial support from Altria Group Inc., parent company of Philip Morris USA, since at least the early 1990s, says Brendan McCormick, a spokesman for the tobacco giant. "We share the interest in working to eliminate [illegal cigarette sales] that many of these law-enforcement organizations also have." Marlboro Cigarettes, Lorillard declined to say whether it has made financial contributions to Noble or other groups that have publicly opposed a menthol ban. The company says it also has collaborated on menthol with groups that have no racial or ethnic affiliation, including Americans for Limited Government. "Over time, the company has been a member of organizations such as trade groups, chambers of commerce and other organizations," says Lorillard's Mr. Perry. "Given what is at stake, it's only natural that we support them in their firmly held beliefs." (Reference http://www.olymall.com) |
|
