WARNING: This site deals only with the corporate corruption of science, and makes no inference about the motives or activities of individuals involved.
    There are many reasons why individuals become embroiled in corporate corruption activities - from political zealotry to over-enthusiastic activism; from gullibility to greed.
    Please read the OVERVIEW carefully, and make up your own mind.

OPINION ONLY

Some key documents

1987 Oct 27: Tobacco Institute document "Public Smoking Issue, Miscellaneous Consultants." has him listed under the heading Workplace Legal They say:

The Tobacco Institute consults with two management attorneys who are expert on workplace smoking issues.

• John C. Fox, a partner at the firm of Pillsbury, Madison & Sutro, is resident in the firm's San Jose, California, and Washington, DC offices.
• Dennis A. Vaughn, a partner at the firm of Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker, is resident in the firm's Santa Monica, California office. Vaughn, a graduate of Stanford Law School, is a longstanding member of the Labor Committee of the US Chamber of Commerce. Vaughn has consulted with The Institute since 1985.

Basic messages:

Employers should oppose government-imposed workplace restrictions as fundamental principle. Smokers have no "right" to smoke in the workplace; nonsmokers have no "right" to a smoke-free workplace. Employers must comply with state and local laws regarding workplace smoking.

    Courts generally do not want to see litigation regarding workplace smoking; they would prefer that the issue be handled by employers. Management has a business interest in striking a balance between the interests of its smoking and nonsmoking employees.

Kind of things they do:

• Publish substantive law review articles on legal and management issues related to smoking in the workplace.
• Conduct seminars and briefings with legislators, employers, attorneys and business groups.
• Debate advocates of workplace bans.
• Conduct media tours.
• Advise companies contemplating workplace smoking policies.

What they have done lately:

• This year, Vaughn briefed two committees of the Associated Washington Business, which was considering a resolution in support of a bill pending in the state legislature to ban workplace smoking. He also published an article in the Employee Relations Law Journal.

Strengths:

• Expertise and credentials. They are well-educated, accomplished,
      reasonable and articulate.
• They are recognized experts in the field of employment law.
• They are published.
• They speak employers' language

Limitations:

• They cannot be utilized with organized labor.
• They are more effective when third parties, such as business or employer groups, sponsor their appearances.

[Which means, they should be used only when the tobacco industry is not seen to be promoting their appearance.]

1989: "Witness/Expert Appearances — Scientific/Legal/Spokespersons." Tobacco Institute list:

1993 Witness List
Tom Lauria, Mike Buckley, Simon Turner, Gio Gori, Bill Wordham, Gray Robertson, Peter Binnie (Now HBI), Larry Holcomb, John Fox, Rich Silverman, Walter Merryman, David Remes, Frank Powell, Melinda Sidak, Rudy Cole, Larry Halfen.

1991 Witness List (additional to those below)
Brennan Dawson, Jeff Seckler, Jim Goold, Joe Pedelty, Jolly Ann Davidson, Dick Wagner, Bernadette Davidson, Walt Decker

1990 Witness List (page 35)
"Bill Orzechowski, Mike Davis, Morris Coats,"

1989 Witness List (most of the above plus)
"Dwight Lee, David Weeks, Alan Kassman, Bob Tollison, Richard Wagner, Jack Peterson, "Bestype Consulting" [actually Best Type Office Environments], Dennis Vaughn.

1988 Witness List most of the above plus)
"A Katzenstein, and David Brenton "

1989: A speech by Jim Johnson (Chairman) to the Executive Committee of the Tobacco Institute. He says that 80% of their resources are directed towards the development of allies and coalitions, and economic studies that can be used at [public and workplace smoking] hearing and in one-on-one lobbying. They are developing their witnesses from scientific consultants and academic consultants:

As you know, this group is a direct result of the new funding the executive committee authorized in April, to enable us to revitalize our academic scientist program.
Within the scientific community our current team of 16 ETS and Indoor Air Quality Consultants are assigned, not only witness duty, but also are expected to attend and participate in scientific conferences — to work within the general media, and to review and respond in print to critical articles related to ETS science.

Our lawyers have produced articles on workplace smoking issues that have appeared in the Employee Relations Law Journal, the California Western Law Review, and Labor Law Journal. The Campbell University Law School Review is expected to run an article this fall. These articles have gone to all Fortune 500 Companies. We are now promoting them with targeted mailings to more than 1,500 business and legal news editors.

    Earlier this year one of the Attorneys. Dennis Vaughn, took his workplace smoking messages to Washington State. He helped persuade the Associated Washington Business to reject a resolution endorsing state legislation to ban smoking in the private workplace.

    Another Attorney, John Fox has conducted news media tours on this issue, educating radio, print and TV journalists; debunking myths about workplace smoking and employer-related liability.

    Last fall he began briefings on employment law, including workplace smoking, in markets where he was visiting the media. These seminars last about two hours and atttract 35 to 40 lawyers and human resources managers. He has done 10 so far.

Chambers sponsorship increases credibility and appeal. It also helps Chambers provide services to their membership.

1993 Feb: He is making a legislative appearance for the Tobacco Institute at a hearing in Seattle, and meeting with the Association of Washington Business.

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