Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Philip Morris Companies, Representative for the Tobacco Industry in Settlement Negotiations
See also: Tobacco Deal Timeline | Government Time Line | Phil Carlton | Interview Excerpt
"Well, I think that one of the things we'd like to see going forward is a recognition by all, including us, that tobacco products, cigarettes are a controversial product. I think that's always going to be the case; there are health risks associated with using the product. I think everybody knows that, everybody agrees with that. But if everybody agrees that tobacco use is going continue, at least for adults, let's figure out how we're going to regulate it, allow us to market it in responsible ways to adults under a regulatory regime that the American public is comfortable with. That, I think, is one of the goals that we have as a result of this negotiation process."
Who?
He is in favor of a national settlement and has argued that the tobacco industry will reform under the proposed regulatory frame work contained in the deal. He was "at the table" during the settlement talks and was considered a rational and fair negotiator by the participants we interviewed. Parrish has been seen by many as one of the key industry insiders who has convinced the companies to settle.
Contribution to the Deal
Parrish has been an industry insider for many years and before that worked with the main industry law firm. His contribution has been as a fair negotiator who faces reality more readily than some of his industry counterparts.
Expectations
Peace now and forever, immunity from all civil lawsuits, immunity from criminal prosecution, settlement and resolution of all current civil cases pending against the tobacco industry.
Personal Information:
Before his current position as Senior Vice President, Parrish was General Counsel for Philip Morris and worked with Philip Morris International in Switzerland. Prior to joining Philip Morris, Parrish was a partner at the law firm of Shook, Hardy and Bacon in Kansas City, MS. He was one of the main tobacco industry attorneys in the famous Cippalone case.
As General Counsel to Philip Morris, he served on the Committee of Counsel, which was a committee of top lawyers from each company which met on a regular basis. This organization has been accused of controlling scientific research so that evidence that was damaging to the industry was suppressed.
Affiliations: Tobacco Guy all the way
Cards they hold (issues):
Cards: 1st Amendment Right to Advertise | Access to Political Power through Campaign Contributions | Money from the Wealthy Tobacco Industry Philip Morris, Settlement, Executive, Negotiator