BBC 17.7.01
Philip Morris makes 80% of Czech cigarettes Anti-smoking campaigners have
reacted with fury to a report delivered to the Czech Government, which
argues that there are economic benefits to smoking.
The report, drawn up for tobacco giant Philip Morris, found that the Czech
Republic saved about $147m in 1997 as a result of the deaths of smokers
who would not live to use healthcare or housing for the elderly.
"Following that logic, the best recommendation to governments would be to
kill all people on the day of their retirement," Czech public health
campaigner, Eva Kralikova said.
Philip Morris has subsequently denied that it was trying to present a
positive side to smoking. The company says the report was compiled as a
cost-benefit analysis. Calculations included the cost of caring for
smokers before they died against the cost of long term provision for the
elderly.
"It is very unfortunate that this is one aspect of the study that is being
focused on," Philip Morris spokesman Rimi Calvert said.
But anti-smokers have been vitriolic in their condemnation of the company.
John Connolly of the British anti-smoking group Ash dismissed the report,
compiled by the consulting firm Arthur D Little International, as
repellant.
"Philip Morris is whispering in the ear of the Czech Government saying,
'Look, we can help you deal with those expensive old people, so why don't
you go easy on controlling smoking?'", Mr Connolly argued.
The US pressure group Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids said the report
showed the irresponsibility of Philip Morris.
Philip Morris ... produces 80% of the cigarettes smoked in the Czech
Republic.
Tobacco companies have used similar arguments in the past to defend
themselves against lawsuits from states demanding reimbursement for
treating smoking-related diseases.
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