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Tags: american medical association, apco associates, environmental protection agency, glantz, journal of the american medical association, junk science, junkman, junkscience, objective evidence, poster boy, public relations campaign, science campaign, secondhand smoke, seed money, sound science coalition, steven milloy, tobacco industry, us environmental protection agency, us environmental protection agency epa, world health organization,Pages: 6
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Created: Thu Feb 9 12:57:05 2006
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Defending your right to breathe smokefree air since 1976
STEVEN J. MILLOY
The "Junkman" Exposed
February 2006
In 1993, the tobacco industry organized a public relations campaign to attack studies on
secondhand smoke and prevent states, cities, and businesses from adopting smokefree policies; it
named this program "sound science." In the short run, the objective of the "sound science"
campaign was to stimulate criticism of the 1993 US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
report, which identified secondhand smoke as a cancer causing substance.1
(http://www.tobaccoscam.ucsf.edu/pdf/9.6-Ong&Glantz-JunkScience.pdf)
In February 1993, Philip Morris (PM) and its public relations firm, APCO Associates, worked to
launch a "sound science" coalition, budgeting between $300,000 to $600,000 in seed money for
the first 24 weeks.2 Three months later, APCO created The Advancement for Sound Science
Coalition (TASSC) to help PM fight smokefree policies. TASSC was designed to minimize
"sound science's" connections to the tobacco industry.3 Over the past decade, the tobacco
industry has created and commissioned numerous subsidiaries to spout its "sound science"
message. Steven Milloy has adopted the role of a tobacco industry "sound science" defender.
Milloy has made it his life's work to deny scientific studies conducted and published by the
world's most reputable and credible scientific agencies--such as the Environmental Protection
Agency and the World Health Organization--and legitimate peer reviewed periodicals--such as
Science, Nature, the Lancet, and the Journal of the American Medical Association--and label
their objective evidence as "junk science." As you will see, Milloy has a lucrative and lengthy
relationship with the tobacco industry that has resulted in his incarnation as Big Tobacco's poster
boy for "junk science."
· In 1992, at the beginning of his career, Milloy worked as a lobbyist for Multinational
Business Services (MBS), a group hired by PM as its primary contact on secondhand
smoke issues in the early 1990's. Milloy worked under James Tozzi,4 who was under
contract with PM for $40,000 a month in 19935 and up to $610,000 in 1994.6 In 1993
and 1994, Tozzi was to work with PM "to develop materials designed to intensify the
debate on the need for scientific standards on meta-analysis and epidemiology," with the
purpose of "supporting legislative mandates on epidemiological standards" and
"increasing debate on ETS [environmental tobacco smoke] risk assessment within the
EPA."7 Tozzi also formed a group called Federal Focus, Inc., which was charged with
monitoring and addressing government health policy in 1994. PM provided Tozzi with
$500,000 for start-up costs in 1993.8 Federal Focus, Inc. and MBS shared the same
address at 11 Dupont Circle, NW, Washington DC, 20036.9
· In 1993, Milloy dismissed the U.S. EPA's study linking secondhand smoke to cancer as a
"joke". In 1996, he and Shook, Hardy & Bacon, a PM-hired law firm, co-authored Policy
2530 San Pablo Avenue, Suite J · Berkeley, California 94702 · (510) 841-3032 / FAX (510) 841-3071
www.no-smoke.org · anr@no-smoke.org
Analysis: Cancer Risk Guidelines: Guidance to Nowhere to refute the EPA report.10 The
law firm's name does not appear on the document's final draft.11
· Milloy was registered as a lobbyist for the EOP Group, a Washington, DC firm created in
1995 that represents the American Crop Protection Association, the Chlorine Chemistry
Council, Edison Electric Institute, Fort Howard Corp., Monsanto, and the International
Food Additives Council, among others, and works closely with APCO Associates.12
· In 1996, Milloy created the one-man front group the Environmental Policy Analysis
Network (EPAN). On paper, EPAN is a Washington-based think tank that argues that
many environmental risks cannot be proven.13
· In 1997 and 1998, Milloy acted as the executive director of The Advancement of Sound
Science Coalition (TASSC) and remained its chief until TASSC was retired in late 1998.
TASSC was charged to "link the tobacco issue with other more `politically correct'
products."14 In its pilot year, PM budgeted $880,000 in funding for TASSC.15 Both Philip
Morris and Lorillard Tobacco were members of TASSC.16
· Milloy also runs an organization called the Citizens For the Integrity of Science (CFIS).
CFIS is the alleged sponsor of the Junk Science website. The Internet site, www.cfis.org
is registered to Milloy's home address with Milloy as the administrative contact.17
However, the site is currently not operational.
· In April 1996, Milloy proclaimed himself a public health expert and began turning out a
stream of anti-environmental, anti-public health commentary through his "Junk Science"
website (www.junkscience.com). The site claims to fight "bad science used by lawsuit-
happy trial lawyers, the `food police,' environmental Chicken Littles, power-drunk
regulators, and unethical-to-dishonest scientists to fuel specious lawsuits, wacky social
and political agendas, and the quest for personal fame and fortune."18 Although Milloy's
Junk Science Home Page does not disclose its specific funding source, the website, CFIS
[in 1999],19 and the defunct TASSC20 share the same address at 1155 Connecticut
Avenue, NW, Suite 300 in Washington, DC.
· As part of its "Common Sense Science" Project, R.J. Reynolds reviewed and revised
Milloy's Junk Science website in 1996, and offered feedback and recommendations for
its future content and material.21
· In August 1997, the New York Times reported that Milloy was one of the paid speakers at
a Miami briefing for foreign reporters sponsored by the British-American Tobacco
Company.22 The company flew in reporters from countries that included Brazil,
Argentina, Chile, and Peru and paid for their accommodations and lodging. The seminar
consisted of presentations that addressed the "infinitesimal, if not hypothetical risks"
related to inhaling a "whiff" of secondhand smoke.23
· In 1998, Milloy sat on the Guest Choice Network's Advisory Panel to discuss "Junk
Science, Risk Hype and the `Anti' Crowd."24 The Guest Choice Network (renamed the
2
Center for Consumer Freedom in January 200225) was launched in 1995; its initial
funding of $600,000 came entirely from PM.26 The Guest Choice Network's stated
objective was to "unite the restaurant and hospitality industries in a campaign to defend
their consumers and marketing programs against attacks from anti-smoking, anti-
drinking, anti-meat, etc. activists."27 Over the course of four years, PM contributed at
least $2.3 million to sustain the Guest Choice Network.28
· In 1999, Milloy became an "adjunct scholar" with the Cato Institute, a libertarian think-
tank based in Washington, DC that received at least $100,000 from PM and $50,000 from
R.J. Reynolds in 1995.29 Cato's board of directors includes Rupert Murdoch, who also
sits on PM's board.30 The Cato Institute has published three books by Milloy--Science
Without Sense; Silencing Science; and Junk Science Judo: Self Defense Against Health
Scares and Scams.
· Phillip Morris budgeted $92,500 of its "Issue Watch" Project budget for Milloy to act as
a consultant to the company in 2000 and 2001. As an "Issues Watch" consultant, Milloy
was to "provide [Phillip Morris] corporate affair professionals with perspective on
changes in the societal trends, pubic attitudes, and issues development" pertaining to
scientific studies concerning tobacco.31
Philip Morris
R. J. Reynolds
Lorillard Tobacco
Multinational Business Services, Inc. APCO Associates
Shook, Hardy & Bacon
Federal Focus
The Advancement of Sound
Science Coalition Cato Institute
Guest Choice
Network
(renamed)
Center for Steven Milloy
"The Junkman"
Consumer
Freedom
Environmental Policy
Analysis Network
Citizens For the Integrity of
Science
Junkscience.com
Money Ties Affiliated Same Address
3
REFERENCES
1
Merlo E. Memo to William Campbell [re: PM USA ETS actions.] February 17, 1993. Bates No. 2021183916-
3930.
2
Merlo E. Memo to William Campbell [re: PM USA ETS actions.] February 17, 1993. Bates No. 2021183916-
3930.
3
Cohen N, Hochaday T, Kraus M. [Memo re: revised 1993 TASSC launch program. October 15, 1993. Bates No.
2045930491-0504; Kraus M [Memo to Matt Winokur re: TASSC briefing.] October 26, 1993. Bates No.
2025840783-0784; Lattanzio, T. [Memo re: ETS Task Force update.] May 20, 1993. Bates No. 2021178204; Lenzi,
J. [Memo re: TASSC media programs.] November 15, 1993. Bates No. 2024233664. The Advancement of Sound
Science Coalition [Information sheet describing TASSC.] 1993. Bates No. 2046989061.
4
Tozzi J, Milloy S. [Fax to Steve Parrish of re: MBS, Inc.] November 17, 1992. Bates No.
2500016595/2021173460.
5
Boland J, Borelli T. [Memo re: monthly budget supplement re: ETS/OSHA federal activities.] February 17, 1993.
Bates No. 2046597149-7148.
6
[n.?] [Memo re: Jim Tozzi re: agreement dated January 1, 1994.] August 8, 1994. Bates No. 2029377061-0763.
7
Boland J, Borelli T. [Memo re: monthly budget supplement re: ETS/OSHA federal activities.] February 17, 1993.
Bates No. 2046597149-7148.
8
Fuller C. [Letter to Jim Tozzi re: Federal Focus check.] July 13, 1993. Bates No. 2046597569; Parrish S. [Memo
re: grant in aid request re: Federal Focus.] April 1, 1994. Bates No. 2071413114-3115
9
Parrish S. [Memo re: grant in aid request re: Federal Focus.] April 1, 1994. Bates No. 2071413114-3115; Tozzi J,
Milloy S. [Fax to Steve Parrish of re: MBS, Inc.] November 17, 1992. Bates No. 2021173460.
10
Shook, Hardy, Bacon, Milloy S. [R&D Document Transmittal Form of the Primary Central File.] November 18,
1996. Bates No. 2063657985.
11
Gough M, Milloy S. Policy Analysis: EPA's Cancer Risk Guidelines: Guidance to Nowhere. November 12, 1996.
Bates No. 206367958-7984.
12
Fist S. Junk Science and the Art of Spin-Doctoring. Available at: http://www.electric-
words.com/junk/milloy/milloy.html. Accessed October 20, 2003; [n.a.] Featured Backlash site: Steven Milloy and
JunkScience.com. Available at: http://clearproject.org/backlash.html. Accessed October 22, 2003.
13
Charman K. Saving the Planet with Pestilent Statistics. Available at:
http://www.prwatch.org/prwissues/1999Q4/avery.html. Accessed October 20, 2003; Gough M, Milloy S. EPA's
Cancer Risk Guidelines: Guidance to Nowhere. November 12, 1996. Bates No. 2063657958-7984; Milloy S. [Letter
to William Farland from Steve Milloy re: EPA proposal to update cancer risk assessment guidelines.] May 9, 1996.
Bates No. 2081928296-8297; [n.a.] Featured Backlash site: Steven Milloy and JunkScience.com. Available at:
http://clearproject.org/backlash.html. Accessed October 22, 2003.
14
Cohen N, Hochaday T. [Memo re: thought on TASSC Europe.] March 25, 1994. Bates No. 2025492898-2905.
15
[n.a.: found in office of Victor Han] [Memo re: 1994 communications plan.] 1994. Bates No. 2023918833-8852.
16
Charman K. Saving the Planet with Pestilent Statistics. Available at:
http://www.prwatch.org/prwissues/1999Q4/avery.html. Accessed October 20, 2003.
17
[n.a.] Featured Backlash site: Steven Milloy and JunkScience.com. Available at:
http://clearproject.org/backlash.html. Accessed October 22, 2003; Rampton S, Stauber J. How Big Tobacco Helped
Create "the Junkman." "PR Watch" 7(3), Third Quarter. Available at:
http://www.prwatch.org/prwissues/2003Q3/junkman.html. Accessed October 20, 2003.
18
Rampton S, Stauber J. The Usual Suspects: Industry Hacks Turn Fear on its Head. "PR Watch" 7(3), Third
Quarter 2000. Available at: http://www.prwatch.org/prwissues/2003Q3/junkman.html. Accessed October 20, 2003.
19
Gough G, Milloy S. [Letter to the National Academy of Science re: epidemiological data access.] February 23,
1999. Available at: http://www.junkscience.com/feb99/tonasmem.html. Accessed October 22, 2003.
20
Milloy S. [Memo to TASSC Board Members re: annual report.] January 7, 1998. Bates No. 2065254885-4890.
21
Powell, T. "Activity Report R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. December 1996 (19961200)," R.J. Reynolds, December
1996, Bates No: 520526642/6643. Download at http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/tid/syq70d00.
22
Rampton S, Stauber J. How Big Tobacco Helped Create "the Junkman." "PR Watch" 7(3), Third Quarter.
Available at: http://www.prwatch.org/prwissues/2003Q3/junkman.html. Accessed October 20, 2003.
23
Rampton S, Stauber J. How Big Tobacco Helped Create "the Junkman." "PR Watch" 7(3), Third Quarter.
Available at: http://www.prwatch.org/prwissues/2003Q3/junkman.html. Accessed October 20, 2003.
4
24
[n.a.] Agenda for 2nd Annual Advisory Panel Meeting [Memo re: Guest Choice Network.] September 9, 1998.
Bates No. 2072396155-6157.
25
[n.a.] A Rogues Gallery of Industry Front Groups and Anti-Environmental Think Tanks. "Impropaganda
Review." Available at: http://www.prwatch.org/improp/ddam.html. Accessed January 7, 2002.
26
Trach, B. [Memo to Ellen Merlo re: Guest Choice Network.] December 15, 1995. Bates No. 2072395960; Trach,
B. [Letter to Rick Berman re: Philip Morris funding of the Guest Choice Network.] December 21, 1995. Bates No.
2072395693.
27
Berman, R. [Letter to Barbara Trach re: establishment of the Guest Choice Network.] December 11, 1995. Bates
No. 2072395962.
28
Trach, B. [Letter to Rick Berman re: Philip Morris funding of the Guest Choice Network.] December 21, 1995.
Bates No. 2072395693; Culley, E. [Letter to Rick Berman re: Philip Morris funding of the Guest Choice Network.]
August 22, 1996. Bates No. 2072395970; Culley, E. [Letter to Rick Berman re: Philip Morris funding of the Guest
Choice Network.] December 10, 1996. Bates No. 2072395969; Culley, E. [Letter to Rick Berman re: Philip Morris
funding of the Guest Choice Network.] June 23, 1997. Bates No. 2072395968; Culley, E. [Letter to Rick Berman re:
Philip Morris funding of the Guest Choice Network.] October 24, 1997. Bates No. 2072395967; Culley, E. [Letter to
Rick Berman re: Philip Morris funding of the Guest Choice Network.] November 8, 1998. Bates No. 2072396007.
29
[n.a.] Tobacco Industry Efforts Subverting the IARC on Secondhand Smoke. November 1999. Bates No.
2505441140-1159.
30
Smith G. [Inter-office Correspondence to all department heads re: Election of Rupert Murdoch to Philip Morris
Board.] August 30, 1989. Bates No. 2070151044; Rampton S, Stauber J. The Usual Suspects: Industry Hacks Turn
Fear on its Head. "PR Watch" 7(3), Third Quarter, 2000.
5
31
[n.a., "Issues Management," Philip Morris, January 16, 2001, Bates No: 2082656417/6505. Download at
http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/tid/kwk84a00.
6