Reynolds vice president thrives on burning issues.

• Position: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.; Thomas Griscom

As President Reagan's communication director in 1987 and '88, Thomas Griscom put out plenty of fires. Now he's blowing smoke for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.

But he's not complaining. "I think the opportunities at Reynolds aren't nearly as difficult as dealing with political issues such as Irancontra," he says.

Griscom, 41, is executive vice president for external relations at Reynolds in Winston-Salem. He helps the company position itself on tobacco issues, particularly the spirited battle over the effects of inhaling second-hand smoke.

"Environmental tobacco smoke is a top priority," he says. "We have to be able to talk about it ... and maybe that's different from the past, from the way the industry has dealt with it."

The former journalist says he likes to play devil's advocate, taking out his yellow pad in meetings and listing arguments to the company line. "I want to bring sort of a higher level of sensitivity to issues out there,' he says.

He could also bring a roster of well-placed Washington friends, although he denies being a lobbyist. After working seven years as a reporter in his hometown of Chattanooga, Tenn., Griscom became press secretary in 1978 for former U.S. Sen. Howard Baker, a Tennessee Republican.

In 1985 and '86...