How Philip Morris Encouraged Black Americans To Smoke Cigarettes

I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to make several major documentaries in support of organizations attempting to prevent teenagers from smoking and to help cigarette smokers quit. Quitting isn't easy as anyone who is a smoker knows. It was very interesting to be a filmmaker at the time when the Surgeon General said smoking cigarettes was bad for you and then to see the government ban cigarette advertising. The cigarette companies, especially Philip Morris, were brilliant at figuring out alternative ways of reaching and motivating people to smoke cigarettes. And they knew the addictive power of nicotine and tobacco. They reached out to the black community in many ways supporting wonderful organizations and events. While I thought it manipulative, I was glad to see these organizations and events receive funding.

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