Industry Front Groups

Question of the Month
October 2001

Researchers at the University of California are investigating the tobacco industry's relationship with the hospitality industry. In the US, the industry has created or funded/organized restaurant and hospitality associations to oppose clean indoor air laws, and the researchers suspect that the same strategies are used worldwide. Let us assist their effort to collect examples from around the world!

Question: Do you know of any examples of suspected industry front groups posing as restaurant associations, pub owner associations, hospitality coalitions, etc.?

In particular, if you have encountered the "Courtesy of Choice" program, the researchers would be interested in knowing where (city, country) and when (year) you saw it and in what kind of establishment.

As always, share your answer with your partner and send a copy to Essential Action!

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