The Power of Courage in Tobacco Control
Together in Saving Lives
Behind every lifesaving measure—like tobacco-free spaces, ad bans, and tobacco taxes—is someone who fought to defend it from tobacco industry interference. By advocating such measures, scientists, doctors, policymakers, and advocates have saved 37 million lives, by far, despite facing lawsuits, threats, and political pressure.
At CourageAgainstTobacco.org, we celebrate their resilience, share their stories, and provide tools to hold the tobacco industry and its front groups accountable.
The Power of Courage in Tobacco Control
Meet the real-life advocates who stood up to the tobacco industry—and saved lives.
Emmanuelle Beguinot
Online Harassment and Personal Insults
Pursued justice and held the harasser
accountable
Pursued justice and held the harasser accountable
A tobacconist insulted her online after she warned about youth-targeted e-cig sales.
George Bakhturidze
Coordinated Smear Campaign
Fought disinformation through legal and ethical
channels
Fought disinformation through legal and ethical channels
Media and NGO actors attacked him after he revealed political endorsements of a heated tobacco brand.
Dr. Manfred Neuberger
Greenwashing Shielded by Legal Threats
Challenged the campaign and preserved public
scrutiny
Challenged the campaign and preserved public scrutiny
A certifier linked to a tobacco company demanded retraction after he exposed a misleading promotion.
Sheila Duffy
Cyber Threats and Legal Pressure
Documented every threat and upheld public trust
She endured years of mockery, lawsuits, and death threats while leading tobacco reform.
Bungon Ritthiphakdee
Third-Party Legal Intimidation
Exposed the threat and mobilized collective action
A tobacco-linked consultant sent a 36-page letter to pressure her organization into silence.
Diego Rodríguez Sendoya
Public Threats via Broadcast Media
Confronted the smear and rallied regional
support
A distributor group threatened to sue him on national TV after he exposed front groups.
Stories of Retaliation and Resilience
Anonymous stories of attacks against advocates
Discrediting Through Rumors
False narratives were spread internally to undermine my reputation and credibility.
Reassignment Under Pressure
I was removed from my tobacco control role after internal pressure from senior officials.
Institutional Conflicts of Interest
Leaders with industry ties consistently blocked or diluted our advocacy efforts.
Targeted Online Harassment
My social media accounts were attacked by coordinated campaigns to silence me.
Funding Scrutiny as Intimidation
My research funding was questioned to cast doubt on my integrity and advocacy.
Legal Threats and Intimidation
I received legal warnings intended to prevent me from testifying or speaking out.
Supporting the Champions of Change
Support the public health champions in their efforts to save more lives
Policy Safeguards
Learn more about 'The Value of Courage Against Tobacco' for policymakers to raise awareness.
Establish Clear Standards on Conflicts of Interest
Implement policies that weaken the tobacco industry's grip on public health.
Know Who the Tobacco Industry Actors Are
Identify tobacco industry actors and share your experiences with us.
Uncovering the Hidden Threats
74% of surveyed advocates say they or a colleague faced intimidation while working on tobacco control. Most common: public discreditation and legal threats. Also reported: cyberattacks, employer complaints, surveillance, theft, and even violence.
🛑 Withdraw
Exit the work or field completely due to intimidation tactics from the tobacco industry.
🛠️ Defend
Adjust plans, self-censor research, and boost physical and digital security measures.
🚶♂️ Persist
Continue tobacco control advocacy work despite intimidation and known risks.
📢 Expose
Correct misinformation, go public with industry tactics, and seek legal justice.
Explore Resources
- Matthes, B.K., Zatoński, M., Alebshehy, R., Carballo, M. and Gilmore, A.B., 2024. ’To be honest, I’m really scared’: perceptions and experiences of intimidation in the LMIC-based tobacco control community. Tobacco Control, 33(1), pp.38–44. https://tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/content/33/1/38.abstract
- Matthes, B.K., Alebshehy, R. and Gilmore, A.B., 2023. “They try to suppress us, but we should be louder”: a qualitative exploration of intimidation in tobacco control.Globalization and Health, 19(1), p.88. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12992-023-00991-0
- Evans-Reeves, K.A., Matthes, B.K., Chamberlain, P., Paichadze, N., Gilmore, A.B. and Mialon, M., 2024. Intimidation against advocates and researchers in the tobacco, alcohol and ultra-processed food spaces: a review.Health Promotion International, 39(6), p.daae153. https://academic.oup.com/heapro/article/39/6/daae153/7906030