Phillip Morris ID database?

David E. Smith dave at technopagan.org
Fri Mar 30 14:43:19 PST 2001


On Fri, 30 Mar 2001, dmolnar wrote:

> I walked into the local 7-11 today. There was a scanner there and a man
> next to it offering a free pack of cigarettes if he could scan your
> drivers' license or other form of photo ID *and* you are an adult smoker.
>
> When I asked what this was all about, he told me that Phillip Morris is
> trying to "update their ID database." Various promotional material was
> present as well, but I didn't read any of it.
>
> Does anyone know more about this? Does Phillip Morris have an ID database,
> and how often do they update it?

As I understand it, things like this are part of the Great Big Settlement
the tobacco corps made with a whole lot of Attorneys General (30-some-odd
states, IIRC). Every few months, PM sends me a big pack of coupons
(usually in the $5-$10 off a carton range) and asks for a fresh copy of my
ID. Brown & Williamson does the same thing.

Also, if you find a bar/nightclub that's hosting an event sponsored by one
of those same corps, they usually have a scanner or copier present as
well, with similar gimmicks (give us a Xerox of your ID, get free stuff).

Thus far, the only things that have come from it is an increase in *weird*
junk mail (Marlboro's sponsoring some kind of nationwide chili cook-off,
so they sent me a spoon) and cigarette coupons. The standard "having your
name in a database" caveats apply, though PM at least seems mostly
interested in verifying that you're over 21. (All the paper forms I've
seen expressly tell you to blackout your SSN/DL.)

...dave





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