Philip Morris spokesperson Bill Phelps flew in from Richmond, Virginia to talk to Cleveland area media about Issue 18. His talking points focused on the economic impact the proposed thirty cents a pack increase would cost area retailers and what he called an unfair burden on adult smokers.
Bill Phelps: We oppose excessive excise tax increases and when we see a proposal that meets those criteria we'll make our opposition known.
Phelps wouldn't say how much America's largest tobacco company is spending to fight the county tax proposal, but says its campaign is limited to distributing leaflets at tobacco vendors. Issue 18 supporter Shaker Heights State Senator Eric Fingerhut called Philip Morris's efforts here outrageous.
Eric Fingerhut: Clearly there's no local opposition building so this big tobacco company has to come into our community and try to manufacture it.
Fingerhut says Issue 18 backers will file a complaint with the Ohio Elections Commission against Philip Morris, claiming the company hasn't clearly identified it in its campaigning. But at least one campaign piece does identify Phillip Morris as the funder. I'm Mhari Saito, 90.3.