Tobacco industry efforts to undermine policy-relevant research

Am J Public Health. 2009 Jan;99(1):45-58. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2007.130740. Epub 2008 Nov 13.

Abstract

The tobacco industry, working through third parties to prevent policy-relevant research that adversely affected it between 1988 and 1998, used coordinated, well-funded strategies in repeated attempts to silence tobacco researcher Stanton A. Glantz. Tactics included advertising, litigation, and attempts to have the US Congress cut off the researcher's National Cancer Institute funding. Efforts like these can influence the policymaking process by silencing opposing voices and discouraging other scientists from doing work that may expose them to tobacco industry attacks. The support of highly credible public health organizations and of researchers' employers is crucial to the continued advancement of public health.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Advertising*
  • Air Pollution, Indoor / adverse effects
  • California
  • Health Policy*
  • Health Promotion
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Public Health / economics
  • Public Health / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Public Health Practice*
  • Public Policy
  • Research / economics
  • Research / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Social Marketing
  • Tobacco Industry / economics
  • Tobacco Industry / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Tobacco Smoke Pollution / adverse effects
  • United States

Substances

  • Tobacco Smoke Pollution