Anti-tobacco campaigner questions Philip Morris' 'Smoke-Free World' foundation

An anti-tobacco campaigner has questioned the seriousness of Philip Morris International in its announcement of funding 'independent' researchers through establishing a 'Foundation for a Smoke-Free World'.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 14 Sept 2017, 09:42 PM
Updated : 14 Sept 2017, 09:42 PM

Matthew L Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, in a statement issued on Thursday, said if Philip Morris was serious about a 'Smoke-Free World', it should stop marketing cigarettes and fighting efforts to reduce smoking.

"Philip Morris has a long history of deceiving the public and doing whatever it takes to sell cigarettes. This is not the first time Philip Morris has announced that it is funding 'independent' research, nor is it the first time it has claimed to support 'independent' researchers," Myers said.

"Each of its past efforts have been nothing more than a smokescreen to divert attention from its marketing practices, the harm its products cause and the strong scientific consensus that already existed – both about the harm of its products and the scientifically proven ways to reduce tobacco use. 

"There is no reason to believe that this announcement is any different," he added.

He said the problem in the fight against tobacco is that companies like Philip Morris continue to oppose the adoption of anti-tobacco policies and programs despite strong and conclusive scientific evidence of damage caused by smoking.

"Philip Morris’ claimed commitment to a 'smoke-free world' cannot be taken seriously so long as it continues to aggressively market cigarettes and fight proven policies to reduce smoking and save lives around the world," Myers said.

"Until Philip Morris ceases these harmful activities, its claims should be seen as yet another public relations stunt aimed at repairing the company’s image and not a serious effort to reduce the death and disease caused by its products," he added.

According to the statement, the $80 million fund Philip Morris is spending in its new foundation per year over the next 12 years is "a drop in the bucket compared to the $75 billion in revenues and over $17 billion in profits the company reported in 2016"

Myers said Philip Morris should immediately throw active support behind policies to reduce cigarette smoking and set an example by stopping marketing of cigarettes if it was "truly committed" to a smoke-free future.

Cigarette smoking kills more than 7 million people worldwide each year and is projected to kill 1 billion people this century, the campaigner said in the statement.