Tobacco Giant Kept Smoking Reports From Public
Reported November 15, 2004
(Ivanhoe Newswire) –Authors of a new say suggest Philip Morris, one of the world’s leading tobacco manufacturers, conducted research into the dangers of passive smoking without publishing their findings.
Investigators allege the company was covertly involved in scientific studies at a German research facility to look at the health effects of tobacco 30 years ago. Researchers also allege Philip Morris made sure the work done at that facility could not be linked to the tobacco giant.
The unpublished reports provide evidence that secondhand smoke is even more harmful than mainstream smoke. The reports also cast doubt on methods used to assess the effects of passive smoking.
Investigator Martin McKee, from London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, says, “The tobacco industry maintained, for many years, that it was unaware of research about the toxic effects of smoking.” He adds arrangements were made to conceal the research not only from the public-at-large but also from many within Philip Morris.
In addition, the small amount of research published by the German research facility, INBIFO, appears to differ considerably from what was left unpublished
SOURCE: The Lancet, published online Nov. 11, 2004