An Insider‚s look at the tobacco industry

The man who inspired the 1999 movie The Insider says physicians have a central role to play in the ongoing fight against a savvy tobacco industry. And if they are to battle on equal terms, says Dr. Jeffrey Wigand, they must learn how the tobacco industry operates.

”[Doctors] are a political power and a group that helps influence policy,” Wigand told CMAJ. ”They must hold the tobacco industry accountable.”

Wigand, the former head of research for the US tobacco giant Brown & Williamson, is becoming a familiar fixture in Canada. In the spring he addressed the Medical Society of Nova Scotia, and he was recently named a special adviser on smoking issues to federal Health Minister Allan Rock. One of his main responsibilities is to interpret documents unearthed during a series of US lawsuits. He also educates Rock and senior staff about the internal workings of tobacco companies. Rock says Wigand ”gave us the key to some of industry‚s language and a thread to follow in fully understanding its internal objectives.”

In addition to his work in Ottawa, Wigand is collaborating with the BC government to help schools enhance awareness of smoking and the industry that promotes it. He is also helping the BC government relaunch its lawsuit against tobacco companies (see CMAJ 2000;162[10]:1468). —