wfn.org | Church's position on tobacco marketing is one of 'outrage'

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

June 8, 1998  Contact: Thomas S. McAnally*(615)742-5470*Nashville Tenn.
{349}

NOTE: This may be used as a sidebar to UMNS story #348. 

By United Methodist News Service

The official position of the United Methodist Church on the use and
marketing of tobacco products is unequivocal.

"We are outraged by the use of marketing techniques aimed at children by
leading cigarette manufacturers," said the church's General Conference,
the top legislative body of the church, which met last in 1996. The
conference, which meets every four years, is the only group that sets
church policy.

In a statement in the church's Book of Resolutions, the General
Conference delegates were particularly critical of the two companies
that they said use market strategies aimed at children: Philip Morris,
which sells Marlboro cigarettes, and RJR Nabisco, which sells Camel
cigarettes.

Full text of the resolution, which includes seven recommendations,
follows:

Tobacco Marketing by Philip Morris and RJR Nabisco

The United Methodist Church and its predecessor denominations have a
long history of witness against the use and marketing of tobacco
products.  There is overwhelming evidence linking cigarette smoking with
lung cancer, cardiovascular diseases, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and
related illnesses.

We are outraged by the use of marketing techniques aimed at children by
leading cigarette manufacturers.  Two specific companies using marketing
strategies aimed at children are Philip Morris, which sells Marlboro
cigarettes, and RJR Nabisco, which sells Camel cigarettes.

Therefore, as people of faith who believe our bodies are temples of the
living God (1 Corinthians 6:13-20), we:
1. 	Direct the General Board of Church and Society to maintain and
publish a current list of consumer products produced by Philip Morris
and RJR Nabisco so that United Methodists are made aware of their
indirect support of the tobacco industry;
2. 	Commend the General Board of Pensions and Health Benefits for
its long-standing exclusion of tobacco manufacturers from its investment
portfolio and ask it to challenge public media in is portfolio not to
carry advertisements and promotion of tobacco products;
3. 	Ask all United Methodist agencies and related institutions to
take into account the Church's Social Principles and tobacco concerns
and, specifically, to consider the role of Philip Morris and RJR Nabisco
in tobacco marketing as a factor in any decision concerning purchasing
food products manufactured by them;
4. 	Request the United Methodist Association of Health and Welfare
Ministries, the General Board of Global Ministries, and the General
Board of Higher Education and Ministry to communicate, interpret, and
advocate for this concern with their affiliated institutions;
5. 	Ask all local churches and annual conferences to educate their
membership about the tobacco industry's marketing tactics aimed at
children. It is equally important we understand the connection between
our purchasing food products and our indirect support of the tobacco
industry;
6. 	Request the General Board of Church and Society to explore
productive measures aimed at stopping tobacco companies from marketing
cigarettes and other tobacco products to children and, if necessary,
organize a boycott; and
7. 	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.

United Methodist News Service
(615)742-5470
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