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Corporate Retaliation
by Anne Landman
A few examples of how the industry has retaliated against companies that try to enact smokefree policies.
- 19800000E Dow Publishes informational booklet, "A Challenge to Fear," about cancer incidence in the U.S.
- Booklet states: "If you haven't already guessed, cigarette smoking is the main reason for this sharp increase in cancer of the respiratory system. No wonder physicians encourage their smokers to give up the habit. You can also understand why each cigarette package contains a grim warning (drawing of cigarette package lying on its side with warning upright."
- 30 Jun 1980 Philip Morris starts to realize something is up...
- Finds out through a third party that Dow Chemical has ethylnornicotine on hand; discovers Dow is "involved in a nicotine chewing gum similar to that being marketed in England."
- 14 Aug 1980 Tobacco Institute sends angry letter to Dow about claims regarding lung cancer death rate in the U.S.
- Newsletter entitled, "A Challenge to Fear," draws attention of tobacco industry.
- Jul 1983 Ad for Nicorette Gum appears
- "Now you can give your patients more than just advice. Nicorette. A chewable resin complex that helps overcome the physical dependency on cigarettes."
- 06 Sep 1985 Philip Morris comes down on Merrell Dow for Nicorette gum
- Tells them to "tone down" Nicorette marketing and promotions, gets Dow to cancel their "Smoking Cessation Newsletter," Dow assures PM they are not "assuming an anti-smoking position," PM makes sure DOW has no corporate "anti-cigarette industry policies" ..but decides to keep buying glycerine products from Dow for their cigarette manufacturing. Why? "As a customer we have an ameliorating influnece on Nicorette promotions. We would lose this impact as a non-customer."