Oral

This session examines ongoing and escalating tobacco industry interference with tobacco control efforts. Tobacco company corporate social responsibility initiatives function as tobacco marketing, inhibit effective tobacco control, and constitute efforts to normalize tobacco companies. As governments around the world introduce health warnings and prohibitions against the promotion of tobacco products, the cigarette package has become one of the last remaining communication avenues through which to reach new and existing customers. A useful way to investigate the specific ways in which the tobacco industry has responded to the health concerns surrounding tobacco is to uncover the history of internal industry Research & Development. The tobacco industry continues to use strategic messaging about “personal responsibility” and “freedom of choice” to protect its interests in the marketplace, against litigation and regulation.

Session Objectives: Describe tobacco industry efforts to undermine tobacco control policies. Analyze tobacco industry strategies to counteract tobacco control policies.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH) , Masters Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES)