Merchants of Death: The American Tobacco Industry [Hardcover]

Larry C. White (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Approximately 350,000 Americans die each year from lung cancer, heart ailments or emphysema directly attributable to smoking, notes White (Human Debris). The movement for a smoke-free society is not viewed passively by the six firms that produce cigarettes in this country: they vigorously defend themselves in product liability suits (the courts are concerned about the possibility of a flood of such litigation) and they are outspoken in asserting that bans on their advertisements threaten their First Amendment rights. At the same time, however, these firms are aggressively diversifying, particularly into the food industry. They have proved to be formidable fighters, and White urges the continuation of the battle against the tobacco producers for their "socially irresponsible conduct."
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

"Like a cancer that has metastasized, the cigarette companies have spread throughout the American economy," writes investigative journalist White in this very partisan, hard-hitting expose of the political influence and economic power of American tobacco companies. Although there are fewer smokers and there are increased legal challenges to the tobacco industry's right to advertise, the industry has fought back by diversifying its economic base and by purportedly expressing an opinion in ads rather than selling a product. White concludes that young people must be taught about smoking's dangers and that the industry must be singled out to pay its own way. Repetitive at times, but a major contribution. Jack Forman, Mesa Coll. Lib., San Diego
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Random House Value Publishing; First edition. edition (August 25, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0517075539
• ISBN-13: 978-0517075531
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,030,918 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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