The Boycott Against Tobacco Companies

Responding as a Conscientious Consumer

In 1997, a group of public health organizations formed the Advisory Committee on Tobacco Policy and Public Health.  The committee was chaired by former U. S. Surgeon General, C. Everett Koop and by former FDA Administrator David Kessler.  The recommendations of the Koop-Kessler committee form a basis of actions and restrictions that should be accepted by the tobacco companies.  A partial list of the committees recommendations include:

• The affirmation that the Food and Drug Administration regulate tobacco products,

• That the FDA have the authority to phase out nicotine and other harmful substances from tobacco,

•  The sale and distribution of tobacco products to persons under age 18 be prohibited,

•  The tobacco companies be responsible for the reduction of tobacco use by under age persons,

• The marketing, promotion, and advertising of all tobacco products directed at persons under age 18 should be banned,

•  Sponsorship of athletic, social, and cultural events by tobacco companies be banned,

•  Sales of tobacco products through vending machines, mail order, and other unsupervised methods be banned,

• Smoking should be banned in all work sites and in all places of public assembly,

• All tobacco control regulations be aggressively enforced,

• All avenues of litigation, both civil and criminal, must be fully preserved.

Since many of the recommendations outlined by the Koop-Kessler Committee require government legislation and action, Conscientious Consumers must take actions to force both politicians and the tobacco companies to accept these recommendations. 

The tobacco companies must not be allowed to use their money to influence politicians to prevent adoption of the Koop-Kessler recommendations.

The Costs Of Tobacco Use

Should Tobacco be Legal?

Tobacco Company's Bad Faith

The Conscientious Consumer's Response

Objectionable Company Actions

Responding 
as a Conscientious Consumer

Action Against Tobacco Companies

Actions Against Politicians

Other Actions

The Right Way to Boycott Tobacco

Tobacco Companies and Their Non-Tobacco Products

Resources

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