A Plan for Progress: The SAE Strategic Plan and Strategic Planning Process

Tactics of the tobacco industry in an Arab nation: a review of tobacco documents in Oman

“…Both PMI and BAT had plans in 1992 to oppose or delay proposed tax changes. PMI’s 1993–1995 strategic plan priorities stated that ‘Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE have not yet implemented the increase in duty to 50% which was called for by the GCC Health Ministers in January 1986’ 56. The industry used the fact that the six GCC states made joint decisions on substantive issues such as custom tariffs by unanimity,57 through the Gulf Custom Union, and that one Gulf country could veto the decision to raise custom taxes, halting implementation of tobacco tax increase across all GCC states.…”

“…The industry used the fact that the six GCC states made joint decisions on substantive issues such as custom tariffs by unanimity,57 through the Gulf Custom Union, and that one Gulf country could veto the decision to raise custom taxes, halting implementation of tobacco tax increase across all GCC states. PMI planned to exploit this decision-making process through meetings with GCC customs and finance officials, especially in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait on ‘UAE’s continued wavering with a view to prevent or delay the implementation of the duty increase’ 56. In a meeting with the Omani Minister of Commerce and Industry in 1992, BAT was informed of a GCC paper on increasing taxes to 100% and reported that the Minister stated that the increase ‘was unrealistic in Oman until the UAE increases [its taxes] to 50%’ 47.…”

“Accommodating” smoke-free policies: tobacco industry’s Courtesy of Choice programme in Latin America

“…61 A 1997 PM Corporate Affairs report, which describes its strategic plan for 1998-2000, stated that PM's overall strategic direction was to ''create and/or maintain a socially acceptable environment to avoid political and regulatory intervention [to] fully achieve [its] business objectives.'' 62 The Courtesy of Choice programme in Latin America was highlighted as one of the strategies in the region to ''preserve favorable operating climate in light of the proposed U.S. [Global 63 ] Settlement'' 62 ''by protecting smoking in public venues''. 62 PM's plan for the next years was to continue to expand their established activities throughout the region by adding Mexico, Bolivia, Peru and the Caribbean Islands.…”

“…62 The Courtesy of Choice programme in Latin America was highlighted as one of the strategies in the region to ''preserve favorable operating climate in light of the proposed U.S. [Global 63 ] Settlement'' 62 ''by protecting smoking in public venues''. 62 PM's plan for the next years was to continue to expand their established activities throughout the region by adding Mexico, Bolivia, Peru and the Caribbean Islands. 62 By 1999, PMI's detailed report on ''International Accommodation Programs'' reported that these programmes were well established and operating globally under PM's Worldwide Regulatory Affairs office as a proactive and ongoing programme (fig 1).…”

“…62 PM's plan for the next years was to continue to expand their established activities throughout the region by adding Mexico, Bolivia, Peru and the Caribbean Islands. 62 By 1999, PMI's detailed report on ''International Accommodation Programs'' reported that these programmes were well established and operating globally under PM's Worldwide Regulatory Affairs office as a proactive and ongoing programme (fig 1). The worldwide coordinator was the London office of Spring O'Brien, which selected, trained and supervised local public relations firms.…”