10.24.2008
After a lengthy discussion about taking money from a tobacco company, the Los Angeles City Council voted 6 to 4 Friday to reject a $10,000 donation from Philip Morris that was intended to fund enforcement against the illegal street sales of tobacco products.
An official from the Bureau of Street Services explained that the city has had problems with the illegal street vending of single cigarettes. The donated money would go to help fund the law enforcement required to stop such illegal sales.
After a lengthy discussion about taking money from a tobacco company, the Los Angeles City Council voted 6 to 4 Friday to reject a $10,000 donation from Philip Morris that was intended to fund enforcement against the illegal street sales of tobacco products.
An official from the Bureau of Street Services explained that the city has had problems with the illegal street vending of single cigarettes. The donated money would go to help fund the law enforcement required to stop such illegal sales.
Councilmember Richard Alarcon expressed concerns that the money would
be used to stop the sales of Philip Morris' competitors. If they did
take the money, it is possible that the city could be seen as helping
Philip Morris rid the market of competition, Alarcon said.
Other council members and members of the public said the city should not take money from a company whose product is responsible for the diseases and deaths of so many of its users. Representatives of various health and anti-smoking organizations argued that the city's acceptance of the money would be seen as an endorsement of tobacco use.
The city has taken money from tobacco and alcohol companies in the past. After the Los Angeles Police Department requested the moneys in 2007, the city accepted a $50,000 donation from Philip Morris to help pay for an investigation into counterfeit cigarettes.
Councilmember Bill Rosendahl, who negotiated the donation, said he was surprised at the council's reluctance to accept the money.
The state is in a serious financial crisis and the city needs money to run its programs, Rosendahl said.
"Ten thousand dollars could hardly be considered enough money to put other companies out of business," said Rosendahl. "But what you're doing now is creating a precedent, a precedent to scrutinize every donation we receive from here on out."
The small group who had spoken out against accepting the donation shook their heads vigorously as Rosendahl spoke.
Councilmembers Alarcon, Wendy Greuel and Tom LaBonge disagreed with Rosendahl, insisting that the City of Los Angeles could not be seen as a city that was supported by the "blood money" of tobacco sales.
Some council members made the suggestion to table the issue until the next meeting.
However, Rosendahl relented, saying that it made no sense to waste more time over such a small amount of money.
Councilmembers Alarcon, Greuel, and LaBonge along with three others voted to reject the donation.
After the discussion, LaBonge walked over to the group who had spoken out against taking the money.
"Now that that's over," said LaBonge, smiling, "how do we get rid of those cigar companies?"
Other council members and members of the public said the city should not take money from a company whose product is responsible for the diseases and deaths of so many of its users. Representatives of various health and anti-smoking organizations argued that the city's acceptance of the money would be seen as an endorsement of tobacco use.
The city has taken money from tobacco and alcohol companies in the past. After the Los Angeles Police Department requested the moneys in 2007, the city accepted a $50,000 donation from Philip Morris to help pay for an investigation into counterfeit cigarettes.
Councilmember Bill Rosendahl, who negotiated the donation, said he was surprised at the council's reluctance to accept the money.
The state is in a serious financial crisis and the city needs money to run its programs, Rosendahl said.
"Ten thousand dollars could hardly be considered enough money to put other companies out of business," said Rosendahl. "But what you're doing now is creating a precedent, a precedent to scrutinize every donation we receive from here on out."
The small group who had spoken out against accepting the donation shook their heads vigorously as Rosendahl spoke.
Councilmembers Alarcon, Wendy Greuel and Tom LaBonge disagreed with Rosendahl, insisting that the City of Los Angeles could not be seen as a city that was supported by the "blood money" of tobacco sales.
Some council members made the suggestion to table the issue until the next meeting.
However, Rosendahl relented, saying that it made no sense to waste more time over such a small amount of money.
Councilmembers Alarcon, Greuel, and LaBonge along with three others voted to reject the donation.
After the discussion, LaBonge walked over to the group who had spoken out against taking the money.
"Now that that's over," said LaBonge, smiling, "how do we get rid of those cigar companies?"
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