Tobacco Industry Tactics to Silence Researchers Exposed

Between 1988 and 1998, the tobacco industry employed sophisticated strategies to prevent policy-relevant research that threatened its interests. Researchers in the United States have uncovered the tobacco industry's coordinated efforts to silence prominent researcher Stanton A. Glantz by using advertising, litigation, and attempting to cut off his National Cancer Institute funding. This campaign aimed to silence opposing voices and discourage other scientists from conducting research that could expose the tobacco industry's practices. Landman and colleagues' study highlights the importance of supporting public health organizations and researchers' employers to advance public health.

Key Takeaways:

• The tobacco industry used third parties to prevent research that negatively impacted its interests between 1988 and 1998.
• Researchers Stanton A. Glantz faced coordinated and well-funded strategies, including advertising, litigation, and attempts to cut off his National Cancer Institute funding.
• Tactics aimed to silence opposing voices and discourage other scientists from conducting research on the tobacco industry.
• The study emphasizes the significance of supporting public health organizations and researchers' employers for continued public health advancements.
• University of California researcher A. Landman and colleagues conducted the study, which was published in the American Journal of Public Health (2009;99(1):45-58).
• Stanton A. Glantz is a prominent researcher at the University of California's Center Tobacco Control Research & Education.
• The American Public Health Association Inc. published the study, highlighting the importance of accessible and accurate scientific research.

Statistics:

• 1988-1998: The tobacco industry used coordinated strategies to prevent policy-relevant research.
• 1 (2009): The study was published in the American Journal of Public Health.
• 45-58: The study's page numbers in the American Journal of Public Health.
• 1998: The last year the tobacco industry implemented these strategies.

Sources:

• A. Landman. et al. (2009). Tobacco Industry Efforts to Undermine Policy-Relevant Research. American Journal of Public Health, 99(1), 45-58. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2007.130740.
• University of California's Center Tobacco Control Research & Education.
• American Public Health Association Inc.