Question of the Month - July/August 2003

[Anna White]

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Question of the Month - July/August 2003
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Dear Friends,

Day after day around the world, the tobacco industry's slick public
relations machine is in high gear, spewing copious amounts of corporate
spin via press releases, radio debates, interviews, advertisements, and
publicity stints.  No doubt, you've heard some of corporate tobacco's
favorite lines:

     "smoking is an 'adult' choice"
     "malaria and AIDS are bigger problems in Africa than tobacco"
     "smokefree legislation is bad for business"
     "raising tobacco taxes fuels organized crime"
     "tobacco control legislation will hurt poor farmers"

There's a saying that "a lie repeated often enough becomes the truth",
a strategy that the tobacco industry has enthusiastically employed. But
a steady stream of lies are ultimately no match for a small dose of
genuine truth, which can have an illuminating effect akin to a candle in
a dark room.  This summer, we would like to compile a worldwide list of
the tobacco industry's favorite lines of argument -- and your "tried and
true" responses, both factual and clever.

JULY/AUGUST'S QUESTION: What are some arguments that the tobacco
industry uses to fight, counter, and ridicule tobacco control efforts in
your state/country -- and what are some effective, informed, creative
rebuttals?

Please list any and all examples that you can think of -- even if you
think they will be submitted by others.  Maybe you already have a list
of "talking points to counter tobacco industry arguments against [some
issue]" compiled that you can share? It will be interesting to see which
tobacco industry lines are most and least universal and to explore the
diversity of possible responses to them.

As always, we encourage you to share responses with your global partner,
if you have one, and send a copy to Essential Action. DEADLINE:
SEPTEMBER 1, 2003

* Note: This month's question is inspired by Phillip Karugaba (Uganda),
who regularly has to debate the BAT-Uganda spokesperson on radio talk
shows. In late May, Phillip did a excellent job of preparing a colleague
and Essential Action for such a debate. He provided with a long list of
the BAT guy's regular arguments and accusations, helped us brainstorm
clever responses, and even role played what the debate would be like.
As Phillip predicted, the BAT guy stuck to his normal script -- and we
had our responses ready.

Best wishes,
Anna

Global Partnerships for Tobacco Control
Essential Action
P.O. Box 19405
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: +1 202-387-8030
Fax: +1 202-234-5176
Email: tobacco@essential.org
http://www.essentialaction.org/tobacco
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