| Public relations |
Emphasize consumer's personal responsibility,
moderation, free choice, and pleasure. |
|
Use the “government” versus “personal
freedom and civil liberties” and “get government off our
backs” arguments. |
|
Vilify critics, health advocates and public health
scientists as “health police” or “fascists”
and accuse them of seeking to impose a “nanny
state.” |
|
Hire a public relations firm to develop and help carry
out plans to create a favorable image, combat negative reports, or
repair damage to credibility or image. |
|
Set up or fund “front groups” with consumer
advocacy sounding names to promote the corporate agenda and
messages. |
| Distortion of science |
Divert attention from health effects of their product
or practices to other matters. |
|
Publish journal articles and book chapters, make
presentations at scientific meetings, host conferences and workshops
for professionals that give the appearance of objective science in
order to convey an image of credibility, but do not present the
entire dataset, or misrepresent or distort data about the
corporation's harmful operations, products or policies. |
|
Pay scientists or physicians or other professionals to
serve as spokespersons to represent the corporation's
position. |
| Political influence |
Use lobbying to gain competitive advantage, avoid or
minimize regulation and taxation. |
|
Contribute funds to election campaigns of politicians
in positions to influence legislation favorable to the corporation
and to obtain favorable rulings from the judiciary. |
|
Participate as delegates in the policy-making or
standard setting process to ensure the lowest or most lenient
possible standards for corporate products and operations. |
|
Work to reduce government budgets for scientific,
policy, and regulatory activities deemed contrary to the
corporation's profit. |
| Financial tactics |
Contribute funding to community and neighborhood
organizations in order to create dependency, gain allies, and
influence or manipulate the organization's agenda. |
|
Set up or fund foundations that support the
corporation's agenda rather than funding priorities determined
through independent democratic processes (i.e., taxes). |
|
Externalize as much cost as possible (e.g., dumping
chemicals into rivers; not providing employee medical
coverage). |
| Legal and regulatory tactics |
Work to get corporate officials or industry lobbyists
appointed to governmental regulatory agencies with authority over
its own industry. |
|
Shop for other judiciary venues or levels of government
when rulings or decisions are unfavorable. |
|
In regulatory or judicial matters, avoid as long as
possible having a hearing on the facts. |
|
When deemed necessary to ensure profits, employ illegal
means. |
| Products and services |
Emphasize technological solutions to health problems to
generate profit. |
|
Use both direct advertising and indirect methods such
as product placement and integration into the story line of
entertainment venues. |
|
Connect image of product or corporation with human
emotions and values. |
