Anti-Smoking Legislation
Thank you for the three reports (Aug. 27, 28 and 30) uncovering the tobacco industry’s attempt to pass a sham legislation, with two assemblymen’s help, to subvert anti-smoking efforts in the state.
Assemblyman Gerald N. Felando (R-San Pedro), who introduced the bill, called nonsmokers’ rights activists “wacky” and “phony.” Assembly Speaker Willie Brown, who received campaign donations of $105,000 from tobacco giants Philip Morris and R.J. Reynolds in the first half of this year and $154,750 between 1986 and 1990 among other gifts, was identified in a tobacco industry memo as the one who suggested the sham legislation during a visit he made to tobacco executives in New York last fall. He denied his participation and described his visit as a “courtesy call.”
Who voted for these characters? What’s the difference between campaign donations and bribes camouflaged as such?
TED WU, Los Angeles
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