The Tobacco Industry's Role in the 16 Cities Study
Author Information
Author(s): Richard L. Barnes, Stanton A. Glantz, S. Katharine Hammond
Primary Institution: University of California, San Francisco
Hypothesis
Did the tobacco industry influence the findings of the 16 Cities Study on secondhand smoke?
Conclusion
The study concludes that smoke-free policies would significantly reduce secondhand smoke exposure.
Supporting Evidence
- The tobacco industry controlled the 16 Cities Study to block OSHA regulations on secondhand smoke.
- Proper analysis shows that smoke-free policies would halve SHS exposure for those living with smokers.
- Jenkins' original article did not fully disclose the tobacco industry's role in the study.
Takeaway
The tobacco industry tried to make it seem like secondhand smoke wasn't a big deal, but this study shows that smoke-free workplaces can really help people breathe better.
Methodology
The study used standard snowball methodology to gather over 500 relevant industry documents and analyzed the full public 16 Cities data set.
Potential Biases
The study highlights potential bias in how the 16 Cities Study was conducted and reported by Jenkins and his colleagues.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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