Legislating "sound science": the role of the tobacco industry

Am J Public Health. 2005:95 Suppl 1:S20-7. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2004.050963.

Abstract

In the late 1990s, in an effort to dispute the link between secondhand smoke and lung cancer, Philip Morris initiated a campaign to legislate "sound science." The campaign involved enacting data access and data quality laws to obtain previously confidential research data in order to re-analyze it based on industry-generated data quality standards. Philip Morris worked with other corporate interests to form coalitions and work-groups, develop a "data integrity" outreach program, sponsor symposia on "research integrity," and draft language for the new acts. The tobacco industry played a role in establishing laws that increase corporate influence on public health and regulatory policy decisions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Expert Testimony / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Government Regulation*
  • Humans
  • Knowledge
  • Public Health / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Public Policy*
  • Public Relations
  • Science / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Science / methods
  • Tobacco Industry / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • United States