Big tobacco was once a giant in Congress, wielding immense power.
Jesse Helms, a major player, backed the industry due to his social conservative stance.
Smoking rates in the US were around the mid-30% range, slowly declining but still significant.
A writer described the situation as a gentlemanly rivalry between big tobacco and the US government.
But a single press conference turned the tide, sparking an all-out war and forever altering the industry-government dynamic.
How do you think this shift impacted public health policies? Share your thoughts below!
Historian and ethicist Nigel Cameron discusses his article, "C. Everett Koop's fearless fight against the tobacco industry," drawn from his biography of the former U.S. surgeon general.
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