Friends of Tobacco

Spring 1996

403 B East New Bern Road, Kinston, North Carolina 28501
Phone & Fax (919) 522-4769 *

Table of Contents

Washington, DC Bus Trip
FOT Mailbag
Tobacco's Contribution
Letter from our Chairman
Remembering Larry Weinfield
1995 FOT Shimperoo
NASCAR Goody's Dash 125
Dues
There is NO Tobacco Subsidy!
Calendar of Events

Washington, DC Bus Trip Planned

 The Friends of Tobacco organization has scheduled a rally and lobbying trip back to Washington, DC for Wednesday, February 28, 1996. All tobacco supporters were encouraged to join forces to send a message to our nation's leadership that the tobacco leadership is sick and tired of being a political whipping boy. Buses will depart from several southern states, and the organization will help any group in arranging transportation. The cost per person is approximately $25.00. Buses are scheduled to arrive in Washington, DC, by 10:30 a.m. on the west side of the Capitol Building. Following the rally, small groups of participants will proceed to the Halls of Congress to discuss tobacco issues and deliver our message to all members of Congress.

Since 1992, the tobacco industry has been under siege from a powerful and well-organized anti-tobacco movement. This movement's ultimate goal is to destroy the tobacco industry and stop all tobacco usage.

Regardless of a person's freedoms, this movement is using every means available. This includes government agencies such as the Occupational, Safety and Health Administration; Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); and Food and Drug Administration proposed regulation of tobacco products. Programs such as the ASSIST (American Stop Smoking Intervention Study) Program are now using approximately $115 million of taxpayers' funds to destroy the tobacco industry. These funds, appropriated by Congress, are designated for research and not lobbying efforts. We must inform congressional leaders of abuse and deceptive usage of taxpayers dollars by certain organizations.

The purpose of this bus trip and rally is to send a wake-up call across the United States that Americans are guaranteed by the Constitution and that we will not sit back and watch our industry be destroyed by any anti-movement. All friends of tobacco are encouraged to support this event. To arrange transportation or for assistance, please call (919) 522-4769.

Friends of Tobacco on the Internet!

A special thanks goes to the Fuji Publishing Group who has provided our organization with an official web page site for Friends of Tobacco. The URL (universal resource locator or web address) is:
http://www.fujipub.com/fot

We also have an Email address for those who send U.S. messages electronically. Our address is:
fot@fujipub.com

FOT Mail Bag

Editor's Note...
The Friends of Tobacco started a letter writing campaign, encouraging our membership and supporters alike, to write to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) opposing regulation of tobacco. With the help of other organizations, we distributed approximately 65,000 flyers, postcards and letters urging tobacco supporters to stop the FDA. As of January 2, the FDA has received 641,000 letters; an agency record (568,000, it should be noted, were form letters). Printed below are excerpts from our membership letters representing more than 4,000 letters we received.

I am strongly in favor of limiting smoking by those under the legal age. I believe that all North Carolinians, in and out of the tobacco industry, would support a strong program to reduce access to tobacco products by those under 18. However, more big government is not the way to do it. This is one more example of Washington starting with good intentions, but piling on more regulation and bureaucracy to do the job. Instead, the focus should be on supporting states and local communities in their efforts to enforce the law and educate young people. I respectfully ask the Food and Drug Administration to reconsider it's position and yield to states their proper authority to reduce use of tobacco products by those under the legal age to purchase tobacco.
(James B. Hunt, Jr.; Governor, State of North Carolina)

I believe it was Thomas Jefferson who once said that every time a new law is made, another freedom is lost.
(G. Luzaich, Virginia)

The tobacco industry is already one of the most heavily regulated industries in the US
(J. Chuba, Pennsylvania)

I have a right to smoke if I so choose to.
(J. Reifer, Kansas)

Prohibition just makes it more fun. Please conserve your efforts for more pressing needs.
(T. Unnold, Connecticut)

I realize that we want to stop our youth from the use of tobacco, but I don't think that your proposed regs will accomplish it. It is up to parents to control tobacco use in our children.
(A. Ashton, Nevada)

I protest any further government intrusion into my personal life. I am a senior citizen, 65 years of age, excellent health and enjoy my tobacco.
(R. Mathews, Alaska)

I am quite familiar with the insidious nature of governmental regulation and this issue is no exception.
(K. Crist, Rocklin, California)

Y'all seem so concerned about teens smoking yet your solution would have no effect.
(R. Steen, Arizona)

I am insulted that the federal government thinks that Americans are so stupid that we can be influenced to purchase a product based on the sporting event that it may sponsor.
(R. Schneiderman, New York)

You must not know what this will do to the farmer who makes their money on just tobacco.
(T. Renz, Tennessee)

Please just let U.S. farm and do whatever we have to do to make a living without people trying to destroy our way of life.
(D. Rouse, North Carolina)

Please note that the tobacco companies in no way are encouraging minors to smoke, in fact, read their ads and check retail stores for posters.
(J. Smith, Decatur, Georgia)

Your efforts to affect teenage usage through regulation is completely misguided. It will have the same general effect as prohibition of alcohol earlier this century. In a society where teenagers can purchase marijuana with relative ease, it is ridiculous for you to regulate tobacco.
(H. Lambert, Texas)

We do not need more laws in the tobacco line.
(S. Hill, Ohio)

I request that you spend your time on more pressing issues in our country. Help our nation's economy grow; don't attack an industry that keeps millions of people working and provides millions of dollars.
(R. Hochmuth, Montana)

Tobacco's Contribution to the National Economy

 The U.S. tobacco industry generated 3 million jobs, produced nearly $95.1 billion in salaries, wages, farm proprietor's income and fringe benefits and almost $64 billion in tax receipts at all levels of government during 1994; in terms of industrial output, the tobacco industry contributed over $167 billion to the nation's Gross National Product (GPN) in 1994.

'Tobacco's contribution to the National Economy', shows that the 3 million jobs, or over 2.6% of all U.S. jobs, generated by the tobacco industry increased by 180,000 jobs from 1989's figure of over 2.8 million, and was in line with the rapid growth of U.S. cigarette exports during the 5-year period. The nearly $95.1 billion in salaries and wages represented an increase of 31% from 1989's figures of over $72.5 billion and the $63.75 billion paid in taxes was up almost 24%.

Tobacco's $167 billion contribution to the GPN was up almost 30% over the 1989's contribution of over $128.5 billion and is roughly equivalent in size to the entire economics of Denmark or Indonesia.'
(Tobacco Merchant Association, 1995)

Letter from our Chairman

 In 1996, Friends of Tobacco will be participating in more public events and will continue to work with every segment of tobacco and our allies alike to fight the growing anti-tobacco industry. Our office has been reorganized to contain the latest and most up-to-date tobacco data. We have also made working agreements with other tobacco organizations to maintain and coordinate pro-tobacco activities across the United States. Friends of Tobacco believes that only through a well-organized and coordinated plan can we stop the growing tide of anti-tobacconist who want to take away our freedoms and destroy this industry. For that reason, we will work with all friends of tobacco to preserve tobacco economics for our nation and freedom of choice. We encourage you to visit our office and to call U.S. if we can be of any assistance.

Dean Rouse

Friends of Tobacco Remembers
Larry Weinfield


by Gary Corbett
 The tobacco family lost a great friend this past October. You probably would not have known him personally unless you are involved in some aspect of the high-grade pipe, tobacco and cigar business but, had you known Larry, you could not have helped liking him! To me, Larry personified everything that is good about our tobacco family (and there is much for all of U.S. to be proud of!) - honesty, a strong code of ethics, knowledge, friendliness, modesty, humor and courage.

Larry was part of a select group of very special people in this tobacco family, now several have sadly passed away, that I have held - and always will hold - in the highest esteem. They were all extremely fine people who I knew that I could count on for guidance and good advice, Larry most of all. I guess most of U.S. find that when a great and close friend passes on, we become more aware of our own fragile mortality. This has certainly been the case with me. I have come to understand that one of the best ways to honor the legacy of someone like Larry is to share his rock-solid principles with everyone I can and to help the next generation of tobacco people understand and love our industry as much as I do, and as did my friend Larry Weinfield. Still, I miss him every day!

Friends of Tobacco Recognizes Supporters
of the 1995 Friends of Tobacco Shrimperoo

 The Friends of Tobacco organization would like to express our sincere appreciation to all supporters who participate in this united effort and support this organization financially. On November 15, 1995, we held our first Friends of Tobacco Shrimperoo. The sold-out crowd enjoyed good food, cigars and shrimp prepared in a number of ways. The event was hosted by Mr. John Moore, host of Carolina Today on WNCT Channel 9. Entertainment was provided by the Carolina Beach Club Show Band. Preparations are already underway to make this an annual event. Listed below are the sponsors who made this event possible:
Thank You for Your Support

First Annual Friends of Tobacco
NASCAR Goody's Dash 125 Planned

The First Annual Friends of Tobacco NASCAR race is scheduled for Saturday, July 20, 1996. It will be held at the Southern National Speedway in Kenly, North Carolina.

Mike Lamm, owner and operator, said, 'NASCAR and race promoters across the country are totally against the FDA's ban on brand sponsorship. We applaud the efforts of the Friends of Tobacco organization and look forward to supporting them.'

Partial proceeds from the race will be donated to the organization. More than 10,000 people attend the NASCAR event annually. For more information on exhibit space or sponsorship, please call (919) 522-4769.

Dues Notice

 If you have already mailed in your 1996 dues, thank you. If you have not, please send your dues today. Thank you.
Annual Membership:
Mail checks to:
Friends of Tobacco, 403-B East New Bern Road, Kinston, NC 28501

Calendar of Events

 May 2-4, 1996; Chinquapin Eastern NC Farm Show, Chinquapin NC
100 exhibitors, attendance expected to be approximately 8,000 people.

June 4-6, 1996; 5th Tobacco International/TMA Tradefair and Conference, Charlotte Convention Center, Charlotte, NC
Approximately 3,000 people representing the tobacco industry are expected to attend. For more information, please call Tobacco International at (212) 391-2060.

July 4, 1996; Friends of Tobacco 'Rest Stop'
Friends of Tobacco hosts an annual 'Rest Stop' for holiday travelers traveling Interstate 70 to Atlantic Beach, NC. Located directly in front of a well-known landmark, King's Restaurant; FOT offers free cold drinks and tobacco information. Approximately 2,500 people stopped in 1995. This event is highly publicized by NC news mediums to encourage rest breaks to avoid accidents while traveling.

July 19, 1996; Friends of Tobacco Cigar Dinner and Awards Banquet, Wilson, NC, Big Star Warehouse; 6:00 p.m. until ?
This event kicks off the First Annual Friends of Tobacco NASCAR Goody's Dash 125. Friends of Tobacco will be honoring individuals who have made a difference in promoting the economic importance of tobacco, supporting the way of life tobacco creates for many Americans and protecting Freedom of Choice against government intrusions and regulations. Among the recipients will include members of Congress, the governor of North Carolina and members of the tobacco industry. Approximately 18 awards will be presented. Entertainment and great food will highlight the event. Approximately 1,200 people are expected to attend. For ticket reservations or for more information, please call (919) 522-4769.

July 20, 1996; First Annual Friends of Tobacco NASCAR Goody's Dash 125, Southern National Speedway in Kenly, NCGates open at 12:00 noon
Exhibitors, entertainment and great food will highlight the event. Hospitality suites available for corporate entertaining. Invited guests will include tobacco industry leaders, celebrities, NC political leaders and other dignitaries. For more information, please call (919) 522-4769.

August 21-24, 1996; 64th Annual RTDA Trade Show, Cincinnati, Ohio
For more information, please call the Retail Tobacco Dealers of America, Inc. at (410) 547-6996.
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