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Cited by 122Global Public Health Policies and EpidemiologyPharmaceutical industry and healthcareSmoking Behavior and Cessation

Tobacco Industry Influence on Science and Scientists in Germany

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Grüning, Thilo, Gilmore, Anna B., McKee, Martin·2006·American Journal of Public Health
DOI 10.2105/ajph.2004.061507PMC PMC1470431
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Abstract

Using tobacco industry documents, we examined how and why the tobacco industry sought to influence science and scientists in Germany as a possible factor in explaining the German opposition to stricter tobacco regulation. Smoking and health research programs were organized both separately by individual tobacco companies and jointly through their German trade organization. An extensive network of scientists and scientific institutions with tobacco industry links was developed. Science was distorted in 5 ways: suppression, dilution, distraction, concealment, and manipulation. The extent of tobacco industry influence over the scientific establishment in Germany is profound. The industry introduced serious bias that probably influenced scientific and public opinion in Germany. This influence likely undermined efforts to control tobacco use.

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  • Tobacco companies and their affiliate organisations have had a strong influence in Germany, and the German government openly works with the tobacco industry.

    “Tobacco companies and their affiliate organisations have had a strong influence in Germany; it is one of the few developed countries in which the government openly works with the tobacco industry (Bornhauser, J. McCarthy et al. 2006; Grüning, Gilmore et al. 2006).”

    From Civil society and the negotiation of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (2009) · cites this paper as Grüning, Gilmore et al. 2006

    The Discussion (page not available) describes profound tobacco-industry influence over Germany’s scientific and medical establishment, including networks involving companies and their trade organization. The opening passage says close government–industry links had been alleged, but it does not establish that the government openly works with the industry or that Germany is one of few developed countries where this occurs. (LLM, conf=0.88)

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  • A delegate from North America pointed out that they consistently consulted NGOs from their country (also members of the FCA) throughout the negotiation in Geneva.

    “A delegate from North America also pointed out that they consistently consulted NGOs from their country (also members of the FCA) throughout the negotiation in Geneva16.”

    From Civil society and the negotiation of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (2009) · cites this paper as [16]

    The Results passages describe tobacco-industry influence on scientists and research institutions in Germany. Searches for a North American delegate, FCA-member NGOs, and consultations during negotiations in Geneva found no passage addressing the attributed account. The paper’s silence does not establish that the account is false. (LLM, conf=0.76)

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Research works printed but not linked: 39

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Authors
Grüning, T., Gilmore, A. B., & McKee, M.
Affiliations
Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust (GB)
ORCID
Venue
American Journal of Public Health
Publisher
American Public Health Association
Published
2006-01
Volume
96
Issue
1
Pages
20-32
ISSN
  • 0090-0036 (ISSN-L)
  • 1541-0048
DOI
10.2105/ajph.2004.061507
PMC
PMC1470431
OpenAlex
W2144605149
Cited by
122
References
1
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 12
FWCI
10.65
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • American Journal of Public Health (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
  • DigitalGeorgetown (Georgetown University Library) (submittedVersion)
  • LSHTM Research Online (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum
  • Wellcome Trust
  • National Cancer Institute (R01CA091021, R01 CA91021)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management › Global Public Health Policies and Epidemiology
  • Life Sciences › Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics › Pharmacology › Pharmaceutical industry and healthcare
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Smoking Behavior and Cessation
Keywords
tobacco industry, industry influence on science, tobacco regulation, industry-sponsored research, scientific integrity, public opinion, tobacco control, Germany
MeSH terms
Germany, Health Policy, Humans, Propaganda, Research Personnel, Smoking, Societies, Tobacco Smoke Pollution, Scientific Misconduct, Conflict of Interest, Tobacco Industry, Information Dissemination, Biomedical Research

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