Real Hypocrites: Big Tobacco
Would you believe that one of the largest tobacco companies in the United States was caught funding North Korea? Or that another of these companies openly bragged about their products appealing directly to youth? While there’s certainly enough scrutiny on these businesses as is, big tobacco companies are some of the biggest hypocrites in the world. They slander the vapor industry, primarily comprised of mom and pop shops, as being the bad guys, while they partake in some seriously sinister business.
As of just April, 2023, British American Tobacco - who own R.J. Reynolds - agreed to pay $629 Million dollars in penalties and fines after running a scheme to sell tobacco leaf to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Between 2007 and 2017, British American Tobacco worked to bypass United States sanctions by spinning off a company out of Singapore. While evading direct ties to North Korea, tens of millions of dollars worth of leaf tobacco managed to make its way to North Korean manufacturers. This resulted in nearly one billion dollars in total sales revenue - with one manufacturer owned by the North Korean military. Adding insult to injury, cigarette trafficking is known to help directly fund North Korea’s Weapons of Mass Destruction programs, topping out at revenue of $20 per $1 spent in cost. Yes, R.J. Reynolds funded nukes for enemies of the United States.
JUUL, once owned by Altria, is famous for creating a spectacle of themselves by actively marketing to youth. Under the watchful eyes of Altria’s then-CEO, JUUL was actively promoting themselves on Instagram with over 50% of the associated imagery being related to youth lifestyle. JUUL also paid several young “influencers” to promote their products through testimonial videos - a direct line to impressionable youth. Perhaps most egregiously, JUUL was shown to have targeted children as young as eight years old by paying schools and summer camps to accept their “health education” programs.
These same companies that engage in these vile tactics are actively trying to put an end to an emergent harm reduction industry. Look at any legislation that would put an end to flavored vapor products and follow the money - you will always find big tobacco. Make no mistake, these hypocrites just want to keep their pockets lined without any concern for the health and safety of United States citizens.
SB1272 is being deliberated right now, a bill which will have disastrous implications for the harm reduction industry. It should surprise no one that the most ardent supporters of this bill are lobbyists tied to big tobacco companies. Their intentions are clear - squeeze out the imminent threat to their monopoly and secure a future where dangerous traditional tobacco products continue to line their pockets.
