Junking science to promote tobacco

Am J Public Health. 2001 Nov;91(11):1745-8. doi: 10.2105/ajph.91.11.1745.

Abstract

Despite the tobacco industry's claims that it has changed its practices, the toll of tobacco-related disease and death continues to grow worldwide, and the industry continues to use a vast array of strategies to promote its products and increase profits. This commentary discusses the ways the tobacco industry has created controversy about risk assessment and about the scientific evidence of the health hazards of secondhand smoke. The authors recommend that policymakers be more vigilant and that they demand transparency about affiliations and linkages between allegedly independent scientists and tobacco companies. They also urge policymakers to be prepared for new and continuing challenges posed by the tobacco industry, because, despite the industry's claims, there is little evidence of fundamental change in its objectives.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Conflict of Interest*
  • Epidemiologic Studies*
  • Financing, Organized
  • Humans
  • Public Policy*
  • Research Support as Topic
  • Risk Assessment
  • Tobacco Industry / standards*
  • Tobacco Smoke Pollution / adverse effects*
  • United States

Substances

  • Tobacco Smoke Pollution