Smokers’ Rights Groups, Tobacco Industry Propaganda and Viral Political Activity This work was supported by the National Cancer Institute
FOREST • FOREST (Freedom Organisation for the Right to Enjoy Smoking Tobacco) • founded in 1979 • industry funded smokers’ right group – 96% of its funding is provided by the tobacco industry Clark, S. , D. Swan, and C. Ogden, The Tobacco Industry and the Health Risks of Smoking, in Select Committee on Health 2000, House of Commons: London.
FOREST and Industry Influence • We speak our mind as we see fit and we guard our independence jealously – whatever the cost. FOREST. Frequently asked questions. 2011 [cited 2011 14 April]; Available from: http: //www. forestonline. org/about/faq/.
FOREST and Industry Influence: the Funding Mechanism 1981. Minutes of the 35 th Meeting of the Public Relations Committee of the T. A. C. held at 10. 30 a. m. on Tuesday, 25 th August 1981, at Glen House, Stag Place, London, SW 1 E 5 AG. 1000089861/9866. Available from: http: //legacy. library. ucsf. edu/tid/clq 97 e 00, accessed 22 Jun 2011.
Funding Dependance, Political Culture and Interest Alignment Name Position (and dates) Previous Links with Neoliberal Think Tanks and Campaign Organisations Stephen Eyres Executive Director (1981 -1989) Director of Publicity for the Freedom Association Co-Founder of the Selsdon Group Chris Tame Executive Director (1989 -1995) Secretary of the Adam Smith Institute Founder of the Libertarian Alliance Simon Clark Executive Director (2000 -present) Editor of Freedom Today (Freedom Association Magazine) Ralph Harris (Lord Harris of High Chair (1987 -2006) General Director of the Institute of Economic Cross) Affairs Russell Walters Assistant Director Executive Committee Member of Conservative Way Forward Brian Monteith Spokesperson for Scotland Member of the Freedom Association Council Research Director of the Policy Institute Researcher for the Centre for Policy Studies the
Funding Dependance, Political Culture and Interest Alignment • neoliberal political beliefs of FOREST personnel work to align FOREST’s activities with tobacco companies commercial interests
Funding Dependance, Political Culture and Interest Alignment Issue Organisation FOREST BAT ITG JTI Smokefree In favour of amending legislation Taxation Opposed to tobacco Opposed taxation. to large Opposed to “high” increases in tobacco rates of taxation rates taxation of tobacco taxation Strongly opposed Tobacco Display Ban Opposed Graphic Opposed Plain Packaging Strongly opposed Health Opposed Warnings Vending Machines Opposed to a general prohibition
Has the “neoliberalisation” of FOREST had any other significant effects?
Political Culture and Conflict Expansion • two aspects of conflict expansion relevant – expanding participation – expanding the issue in policy conflicts Pralle, S. , Branching Out, Digging in: Environmental Advocacy and Agenda Setting. 2006, Washington, D. C. : Georgetown University Press
Political Culture and Conflict Expansion Tame, C. R. , Forest's Future Strategy: A Discussion. 1989: RJ Reynolds. Bn: 507652779/2785
Political Culture and Conflict Expansion Tame, C. R. , Forest's Future Strategy: A Discussion. 1989: RJ Reynolds. Bn: 507652779/2785
Political Culture and Conflict Expansion • Adam Smith Institute • Progressive Vision • LM Network http: //www. amendthesmokingban. com/ • • • The Freedom Association Democracy Institute LM Network Liberty League Institute of Economic Affairs http: //www. thefreesociety. org/
Political Culture and Conflict Expansion • data on individuals’ links to FOREST, organisational affiliations and interest in smoking related issues obtained through Google searches, searches of social networking sites (such as Linked. In) and Companies House records • individuals were included in the analysis if: – they were a member of FOREST in the period specified (2001 -2011); – a named contributor to the FREE Society in the period specified (2001 -2011) who has written in support of FOREST’s messages on tobacco control; – a member, member of staff, fellow, board member, advisory board member, or trustee of a neo-liberal organisation (campaign group, think tank, party, network, or online magazine) affiliated to a FOREST or Free Society campaign (such as Save our Pubs and Clubs) or initiative (change) (such as the Liberty League network) who has also written in support of FOREST’s messages on tobacco control; – a member, member of staff, board member, advisory board member or trustee of a neo-liberal organisation who counts an individual listed in c) as a member, who has also written in support of FOREST’s messages on tobacco control.
BAT Save Our Pubs and Clubs Free Society FOREST Imperial JTI Liberty League
Industry Influence and Conflict Expansion • “The freedom to smoke in private establishments has become a signature issue for proper liberals. ” Salter, P. , First, we take Berlin, in Adam Smith Institute. 2010, Adam Smith Institute: London. • Corporate viral political activity – use of a pre-existing social network to propagate corporate propaganda and amplify the impact of corporate political activity
Effects of Article 5. 3 on Industry Political Activity • recommendation that signatories establish measures to limit interactions with the industry and make transparent interactions that do occur – likely to increase the demand for political strategies that take effect through third parties
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