The AMA-Tobacco Industry Research Collaboration
The Unfiltered Truth About Smoking and Health
Rather than follow the lead of other major health groups and support Surgeon General Dr. Luther Terry’s call for action on the smoking and health problem, the AMA instead entered into a $10 million contract with six tobacco companies to conduct research on the effects of nicotine and other aspects of smoking. Criticized by many members, the AMA leadership defended its relationship with the tobacco industry and claimed that the funds would be used to support “independent research” that was needed for the “identification and removal of the harmful components in tobacco.”