From: "Eric R. Stietzel" <eric at stietzel.net> To: <Recipient.list.suppressed> Sent: Monday, June 18, 2001 9:36 AM Subject: [POM] www.smokefree.org
> For some years I've been receiving action alerts from Joe and
> www.smokefree.org. Rather than sending your address to him so he could
> invite you to get involved, I decided to write to you directly, using the
> Bcc: line to keep your address private. Seems like good netiquette. Give
> it a thought; it doesn't take much time. I probably average a couple of
> posts a month.
>
> Reply-To: Joe at smokefree.org
> From: "Joe Cherner" <Joe at smokefree.org>
> To: "eric at stietzel.net" <eric at stietzel.net>
> Subject: Wal-Mart Reply
> Date: Sun, 17 Jun 2001 19:2:28 -0400
> :
> :
> :
>
> Dear Eric,
>
> Recently, you sent a letter to Wal-Mart from our website
> (www.smokefree.org/walmart) asking Wal-Mart to stop placing huge cigarette
> ads at checkout counters in less developed countries.
>
> By now, you have probably received the following ridiculous reply from
> Wal-Mart:
>
> <i>"This is in response to your letter to Wal-Mart about in-store
> advertising for tobacco products in our stores in Mexico. First, we
> appreciate your interest in this matter. Please be assured that in
> addition to merchandising our stores in the way that our local customers
> expect, it also is important to us that our business practices follow all
> appropriate local laws and regulations.
>
> In fact, as a direct result of an inquiry on this several months ago, we
> looked into the laws and regulations with regard to tobacco advertising in
> Mexico to make sure that our practices are in full compliance. We are
> pleased to report that they are. As further background, we continue to
> rotate our point-of-sale displays in Mexico, including tobacco
> advertisements. Most signs are replaced every six months or so. The
> tobacco advertisements include a prominent health warning for those who
> choose to smoke.
>
> We appreciate the fact that, if you had your wish, all tobacco signs would
> be removed in total. However, this form of advertising is common among
> retailers in Mexico and is generally accepted by the public as a way to
> communicate with the millions of Mexican adults who choose to smoke. As a
> retailer that operates stores in 10 different countries, we have learned
> that the best way to satisfy our customers is to give our local operators
> the leeway to do just that.
>
> We do understand that you may have a different point of view on this
> matter, but we hope this explanation at least clarifies the matter once
and
> for all.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Wal-Mart Stores Inc."</i>
>
>
> Wal-Mart's reply raises 3 issues:
>
> 1) Why did Wal-Mart write about Mexico? Did you specifically mention
> Mexico in your letter?
>
> 2) Wal-Mart does indeed replace cigarettes ads every six months... with
new
> cigarette ads. Currently Wal-Mart is running cigarettes ads with the
> Marlboro cowboy.
>
> 3) Wal-Mart refused to address your main point-- if Wal-Mart doesn't push
> cigarette ads at checkout counters in the United States (where it is also
> perfectly legal to do), why does it do it in less developed countries?
>
> We hope you will go back to our website (www.smokefree.org/walmart) and
> write back to Wal-Mart. Clearly, Wal-Mart is feeling the heat and does
not
> know how to respond. Continued pressure from the public will force
> Wal-Mart to act responsibly.
>
> Thank you.
>
> Joseph W. Cherner, President
> SmokeFree Educational Services, Inc.
> http://www.SmokefreeAir.org
>
> "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can
> change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever
> has." Margaret Mead
>