“…Have you noticed how the tobacco industry’s public relations tactics have recently changed?
Traditionally they have supported what seem to be community-promoting initiatives, such as Keep New Zealand Beautiful and the Life Education Trust’s, I’ve Got the Power (a school programme teaching responsible decision-making).
In these, there’s an emphasis on “personal responsibility” and choice, aimed at subtly undermining interpersonal responsibility – in particular the public health implications of second- and third-hand smoking.
Recent events in Australia show, however, that Big Tobacco has given up trying to persuade us how much it cares -
- and is quite willing instead to use undisguised strong-arm tactics to dissuade governments from passing smokefree legislation.
The message now is: “No more Mr Nice Guy.
We are bigger than you and we’ll rough you up if you continue to threaten our interests.”..”
(cont..)
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Philip Pattemore: No more Mr Nice Guy, now it’s war – Opinion – NZ Herald News.
