ADVISORY/Detroit Store Owners Unite to Fight Cigarette Tax Hike - New Cigarette Taxes Will Hurt Store Owners and Detroit Residents; Crime & Economic Woes Will Increase.

Business Editors/City Desks/Assignment Desks

ADVISORY...for May 26 (Wednesday)

--(BUSINESS WIRE)

      Store Owners From Across Detroit Hold MBAFT News Conference
                       Wednesday May 26 at 10am

    --  WHAT: News conference to reveal the harsh consequences of a
        cigarette tax increase for businesses and citizens in Detroit.
        Small businesses will suffer and criminals will prosper from
        75 cents a pack cigarette tax hike.

    --  Proposal to raise cigarette taxes by 60% will punish
        retailers, raise prices on other products, and invite
        smugglers to Michigan.

    --  WHEN: 10am Wednesday May 26, 2004

    --  WHERE: Park Lane Cork & Bottle Shoppe
               19150 W. McNichols (between S-field & Evergreen)
               Detroit, Mich. 48219 313-255-0004

    --  SPEAKERS: --Mike Sarafa, President, Associated Food Dealers
                  --Robert Shepherd, National Expert on Tax
                    Enforcement and Tobacco Smuggling
                  --Jamal Qonja, Store Owner
                  --Alan Upchurch, Mich. Business Alliance
                    For Fair Taxes

    --  VISUAL: Demonstration of how smugglers prosper in high tax
        states like Michigan.

Media Contact: Mike Szudarek or Ashley Deacon 248-855-6777. For more information on the Alliance go to www.saynotounfairtaxes.com or call 1-888-221-2322.