In 1953 the tobacco companies tired of being at war with each other met to form a common front. Although they knew then that 94 of lung cancer deaths were smokers they issued "The Frank Statement" in which they denied that smoking causes cancer. This is described as the biggest public relations campaign in all history. They promised that if cigarettes proved dangerous they would be pulled off the market. While a clear lie there was no political opposition until the 1990s. At a hearing organized by 46 American states in 1998 each of the seven tobacco company executives who were called to testify deny that nicotine is addictive. The resolution was that they would pay 201 billion dollars to avoid a verdict. They were also forbidden to market to children (in the United States) and to make available to the public all of their documents. No documents could be destroyed until 2008. While they released millions of pages of useless information dogged research unearthed some interesting admissions: "Nicotine is addictive. We are in the business of selling an addictive drug." The film shows that the tobacco companies have had a free hand in what they did. When other companies were intrigued by the success of Marlboro cigarettes they analyzed the contents. They discovered that ammonia had been added to the tobacco in order to increase the nicotine uptake into the body. Instead of reporting this discovery the other companies also added ammonia to their cigarettes. Dr. William Farone former director of research for Phillip Morris states that he initially joined the company to search for ways to make cigarettes safer. After hundreds of millions of dollars were spent to find these ways none were ever implemented. A Canadian-European collaboration this film is a no-holds barred attack on the global tobacco industry. Filmmaker Nadia Collot does not apologize for her lack of balance as the accusation is made early in the film that the tobacco industry has been lying to the world for decades. Using proof from tobacco company documents this film exposes a number of their tactics. The tone is set early in the film as Collot attempts to make contact with a number of tobacco company executives. None return her calls and when she actually speaks to one he flatly refuses to comment. The film is filled with statistics such as 13000 people die from smoking related causes each day. One hundred million smokers died in the 20th century and the prediction is made that a billion will die in the 21st. A former smoker Collot admits that it has taken her 20 years to quit. This film is the result of three years of investigation. However since the 1990s smoking in movies has increased to the point where it is worse now than 50 years ago. Sylvester Stallone was paid $500000 to show smoking in five of his films. Philip Morris paid to have smoking included in Superman II. There is no smoking in Superman I. The accusation is made that the companies work together to push the limits regarding anti-smoking laws. Nadia Collot (Director). Marie-Hlne Ranc (Kuiv Producer). Joanne Carrire (NFB Producer).
The World Health Organization has come out against smoking and signed a treaty on tobacco control. While this may be a victory, the film shows that this only works in countries where the rules would be enforced. Smuggling cigarettes into poorer countries is another ploy used by the tobacco companies. Cigarettes are given away to the people. Once they are hooked, the smugglers charge and make huge profits. Then the companies show the governments all the lost revenue they could be making. They offer to distribute or even manufacture the products and ensure a steady flow of tax money to the government. Africa has shown a 16% increase in cigarette use. The cigarette companies have pulled out all the stops in Africa - free cigarettes, sports and music sponsorship, Marlboro baby clothes. One mother complains that there is no food in the house, but her husband "would rather spend last coins on cigarettes than food for the children." She asks, "How can I stop him when he is addicted?" The children ask for money with which to buy cigarettes. When they are told no, they turn to theft. Collot claims that the industry is not on the ropes; it is winning.
The final scene of the film shows a person in a coffin made of and filled with cigarette packages. Words across the screen state that, since this film began, 376 people have died because of tobacco, then the number changes to 377.
This is a hard hitting film. The information provided is documented, expert opinion is provided, and while the bias is clear, denying the message would be a challenge.
The Tobacco Conspiracy should be required viewing for all high school students. Certainly, it would be applicable in a Business class or Law, Health, Ethics, or Marketing, Parenting.
Highly Recommended.
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What They Don't Want You To Know, English Subtitles (CC)by AmongSnares10,468 views
It never ceases to amaze me that simply by convincing a nation's government that they are loosing tax money as their citizens are purchasing illegally supplied tobacco they pass legislation right away to make it legal. yet the same argument to non-addictive health promoting Cannabis Hemp ends up in a drug war... What is wrong with this picture?
PGMSSupport 4 weeks ago