Social Affairs Commissioner Pádraig Flynn has launched an attack on tobacco giant Philip Morris…

Date: 13/06/1996

...for its new advertising campaign, which plays down the risks from 'passive smoking'. Flynn urged the public to “greet this message with the scorn it deserves”. Last week the firm launched a press campaign claiming that health risks from other people's cigarette smoke had been greatly exaggerated. But Flynn claimed the move was “evidence of panic in the tobacco industry at the threat posed to tobacco sales by concerns over passive smoking”. The Commissioner has led unsuccessful attempts to force the EU to ban all tobacco advertising.