Baring the Truth Behind the Smoking Industry
Pete Hanauer, ANR’s co-founder, and UCSF professor Dr. Stanton Glantz, brought truth to the public with “Death in the West,“ a documentary that Philip Morris had legally silenced.
The film was directed by Martin Smith, for Thames Television and is believed to contain the first recorded admission from a tobacco company representative that smoking causes health problems. It was filmed by reporter Peter Taylor alongside a team from the United Kingdom current affairs program This Week. Philip Morris sued and settled with Thames and all copies were destroyed, but some were leaked. Stan was able to get hold of a copy and provided it to KRON San Francisco. Here is some discussion via social media about KRON’s choice to air the documentary. The June 1982 airing with KRON’s Evan White included a public call in poll and interviews with Dr. Glantz and others. This version can be viewed here.
Below, embedded, is a version of the film shown by Chicago Public Television courtesy of Media Burn.
Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights (ANR) is marking50 years of advocacy in 2026.
To learn more about ANR’s work and support the ongoing fight for smokefree air for all workers consider becoming a member today.
