Tobacco

RJR Tobacco's Push to Keep Smoke-Filled Rooms

by Bob Burton — May 1, 2006 - 12:40am

The R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company is supporting a bid by the Ohio Licensed Beverage Association to amend the Ohio constitution to exempt businesses such as bars, restaurants and bowling alleys from smoking restrictions. The amendment would also override a number of local ordinances banning indoor smoking. To gather 300,000 signatures to put the amendment on the ballot in November, the business lobby is running web advertisements offering $1.50 for each signature collected.

Main Source: 
The Plain Dealer, April 29, 2006

Inside the Tobacco Industry's Files

by Bob Burton — February 1, 2006 - 12:02am
  • Topics: Citizen Journalism, Corporations, Health, Tobacco

    • As the Center for Media and Democracy has noted, the tobacco industry pioneered many deceptive public relations tactics, casting a long shadow over science and health reporting, as well as the public's right to know.

    Before its fall from grace, tobacco industry created front groups courted journalists and obscured damning scientific evidence. But, inadvertently, the industry is now helping independent researchers and reporters understand how PR is used to obscure facts and shape public debates.

    As the Smoke Clears, Philip Morris Ruling Questioned

    by Diane Farsetta — December 16, 2005 - 4:17pm

    On December 15, the Illinois Supreme Court threw out a $10.1 billion verdict against Philip Morris and its parent company, Altria Group, saying they did not mislead consumers when advertising "light" cigarettes.

    Main Source: 
    Chicago Tribune, December 16, 2005

    Whatever the Skin Color, Inside Are Black Lungs

    by Diane Farsetta — November 18, 2005 - 4:43pm

    The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, the National Latino Council on Alcohol and Tobacco Prevention, and Floridians for Youth Tobacco Education warn that the tobacco industry is increasingly targeting Latino children.

    Main Source: 
    Associated Press, November 17, 2005

    Clarke Under Pressure to Quit British American Tobacco

    by Bob Burton — August 25, 2005 - 9:39pm

    Kenneth Clarke, a British Conservative Party leadership aspirant, is resisting calls to resign as non-executive deputy chairman of British American Tobacco (BAT) and chair of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Committee. Clarke's supporters have suggested he would resign the roles only if elected leader.

    Main Source: 
    The Guardian, August 23, 2005

    Big Tobacco's Last Gasps?

    by Diane Farsetta — December 1, 2004 - 11:00pm

    The World Health Organization announced that 40 nations have ratified the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The convention "changes the way Big Tobacco does business," said Kathryn Mulvey of Corporate Accountability International. The convention governs tobacco marketing, taxation and health warnings in signatory countries, starting in March 2005.

    Main Source: 
    Christian Science Monitor, December 2, 2004

    Who's Blowing Smoke Where?

    by Diane Farsetta — October 27, 2004 - 10:00pm

    Pharmacology professor Sorell Schwartz of the Center for Environmental Health and Human Toxicology testified against the industry-funded Tobacco Institute, during the ongoing $280 billion federal lawsuit against big tobacco.

    Main Source: 
    Reuters, October 28, 2004
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