In our Social Principles "we recommend total abstinence from the use of tobacco" and "recognize the harmful effects of passive smoke and support the restriction of smoking in public areas and work places." (¶ 72J).
In 1992, we called upon United Methodists to "work with local, state, and federal government representatives on legislation to limit advertisement of alcohol and tobacco" (Confronting the Drug Crisis), expressing our deep concern about the promotion of tobacco products through advertising:
"We are especially concerned about the portrayal of smoking in connection with commercial advertising. We commend the suspension of cigarette advertising on radio and television. Smoking in other advertisements is still depicted in ways which identify it with physical and social maturity, attractiveness, and success. We support the Federal Trade Commission's rules requiring health warning statements in cigarette packaging."
(Book of Resolutions, p. 234.)
"We are also concerned that the tobacco industry is implementing marketing strategies that focus on the sales of tobacco in developing countries." (Book of Resolutions, p. 235.)
The resolution made this far- reaching proposal:
"We recommend the prohibition of commercial advertising of tobacco products in order to reduce enticement toward use of a proven health hazard." (Book of Resolutions, p. 235)
Since 1992, the marketing of tobacco in developing countries has intensified. The resistance of the tobacco industry to health regulations has hardened. The evidence of the human suffering due to tobacco use has continued to mount, and the denials and equivocation of tobacco industry leaders on this urgent health issue have astounded and alarmed the public. Tobacco companies have become owners and marketers of many leading food brands.
The industry leaders are Philip Morris, which sells Marlboro, Chesterfield, Merritt, Lark, Ambassador, L&M, Parliament, Alpine, Cambridge, Merit, Bristol, Bucks, Benson & Hedges, and Virginia Slims cigarettes while marketing many common food products, including Kraft, General Foods, Oscar Mayer, Miller Brewing, Post Cereals, Entenmann's, Jell- O, Log Cabin, Maxwell House, Kool- Aid, Uncle Ben's, Country Time, Miracle Whip, Parkay, Cracker Barrel, Tang and Velveeta, and RJR Nabisco, which produces Nabisco Food Products while enticing untold numbers of young people into tobacco use through Joe Camel cartoon advertising.
Public concern about the marketing strategies of the tobacco industry, especially as they affect children and youth and persons in developing countries, has generated a growing grassroots movement of education and action, coordinated by INFACT.
Therefore, the General Conference resolves:
1. To commend its General Board of Pensions for its longtime exclusion of tobacco manufacturers from its portfolio of securities and asks it to intensify dialogue with public media in which it is part owner and which carries advertising or promotion of tobacco products;
2. To ask all United Methodist agencies and related institutions to establish purchasing policies that take into account the church's Social Principles and resolutions on tobacco concerns and, specifically, to consider the role of Philip Morris and RJR Nabisco in tobacco marketing as a factor in any decision as to whether to buy a food product manufactured by Philip Morris or RJR Nabisco;
3. To instruct the United Methodist Association of Health and Welfare Ministries and Board of Higher Education and Ministry to communicate, interpret, and advocate for this concern with their affiliated institutions;
4. To ask all local churches, annual conferences, and church members also to take into account the church's position on tobacco use and marketing when making decisions about purchasing food products from Philip Morris and RJR Nabisco;
5. To direct the General Board of Church and Society to communicate this resolution to the tobacco companies, serve as continuing advocate of the United Methodist position within The United Methodist Church and with the companies, and monitor the implementation of this resolution for report at the next General Conference; and
6. To request the General Board of Church and Society to explore the institution of a formal United Methodist boycott of all Philip Morris and RJR Nabisco products using the "Guideline for Initiating or Joining an Economic Boycott" adopted in 1988, and make a specific recommendation regarding such a boycott at the next General Conference.
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
Petition Text: 20228-CS-NonDis-O
1996 United Methodist General Conference