The tobacco industry has stooped to new depths with The Independent reporting that Philip Morris International, the maker of Marlboro, is trying to force a British university to reveal full details of its research involving confidential interviews with thousands of children aged between 11 and 16 about their attitudes towards smoking and cigarette packaging.
This coincides with academics doing research on smoking getting harassed and being subjected to an Internet abuse campaign, similar to the sorts of campaigns being unleashed on climate scientists. In both cases, it's a war on science.
Meanwhile in the US, we have reports that Big Tobacco is now marketing nicotine-laced candy to get children started on the habit. These products, sold as Camel Orbs, Sticks, or Strips come flavored with cinnamon or mint and are supposedly meant only for adult consumption but the kids are buying them. They're basically trainer packs to get kids hooked.
Meanwhile, Australia has moved a step closer to becoming the first country in the world to introduce plain cigarette packaging, introducing new laws that will see packets plastered in graphic health warnings and prevented from bearing any tobacco company logos. The tobacco industry is fighting it in the courts.
All of these stories paint a picture of an industry that will stop at nothing.
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