sample="supplemental" bates="2025860759" isource="ti" decade="1980" class="ne" date="19880202" THE TOBACCO INSTITUTE 1875 I STREET, NORTHWEST WASHINGTON, DC 20006 202/457-4800 · 800/424-9876 SAMUEL D. CHILCOTE, JR. President February 2, 1988 Ambassador Clayton Yeutter United States Trade Representative 600 17th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20506 Dear Mr. Ambassador: We are writing concerning a matter of serious importance to American tobacco manufacturers. On January 4, 1988, the Australian Minister for Consumer Affairs announced his intention to "ban smokeless tobacco products for oral use, manufactured in or imported into, Australia after 30 April 1988" The Tobacco Institute, which represents major cigarette manufacturers, is deeply troubled by the precedent that is set by the proposed ban of smokeless tobacco. The Australian Government should afford similar products - such as the family of tobacco products - equal treatment. Australia requires that packages of tobacco be labeled with health warnings and restricts their marketing. The U.S. Government follows an identical course of action. Smokeless and smoking tobacco products should be treated alike. We ask that you use the full force of the American Government to seek fair treatment for all tobacco products and an end to the imposition of unreasonable and discriminatory restrictions aimed at smokeless tobacco. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely, Samuel D. Chilcote, Jr. SDC:dlt