The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "smokers" ...
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Transporting Lawsuits Across State Lines: Attorneys General Are Joining Forces In a Consumer Litigation Battle Plan
In June, 1997 the attorneys general of 40 states reached a proposed $368.5 billion settlement with the nation's tobacco makers. The settlement was supposed to allow the states to recoup a fortune in Medicaid payments spent on behalf of smokers. Critics say states too often let big victories get away by settling for too little. Other critics say states are creating too many hurdles in the way of doing business. States are working together to pool their resources. As a result, some corporations must face lawsuits raised by multiple states, instead of just one.
Tags: Tobacco; Lawsuits; Attorneys General; Consumer Litigation; Washington; Medicaid; Consumer Protection
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Spending the tobacco money
The Star-Tribune reports on the Minnesota Partnership for Action Against Tobacco, an organization created in 1998 to help smokers quit smoking. The investigation finds that the organization is spending most of its money on advocating smoking bans in bars and restaurants. A database created from court documents, which shows the connections between the organization and grant recipients, reveals heavy insider funding. MPAAT shifted course from the voluntary cessation oriented program even though its "own statewide survey (...) provided evidence that the smoking ban strategy would never work."
Tags: CAR; lobbying; public health; smoking attitudes; nonprofit; tax-exempt status
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Tobacco Companies Linked to Criminal Organizations in Lucrative Cigarette Smuggling
This nine-part investigative report by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, a project of the Center for Public Integrity, reveals "how Philip Morris, R.J. Reynolds and British American Tobacco became enmeshed with organized crime worldwide as they fought to expand markets and increase profits through cigarette smuggling." While corporate officials were pleading ignorance in explaining how one-third of the world's exported cigarettes end up on the black market they were in fact working closely with companies and officials directly connected to organized crime in the United States, Canada, Italy, China, Taiwan and other countries, the investigation reports.
Tags: Sicilian Mafia; Latin America; Cocaine barons; crime; smoking; smokers; business; government; tax evasions; Third World countries; money laundering; financial crimes; customs; witness protection; transit trade; exports; imports; racketeering
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Texas teens: Doped up and on the road
The Beaumont, Texas, Examiner reports that "The ads are basically the same in newspapers across the country; blue jean job, need sharp guys and gals to work in a rock-and-roll environment.... but a behind-the-scenes investigation by The Examiner revealed the great party atmosphere the ad promises is all that it is cracked up to be... and most of it is illegal. In reality, the traveling sales jobs offered by N.J. Distributors of Florida to Beaumont youths would be a dope smoker's dream come true..."
Tags: marijuana weed Hy-Pro Spray Cleen Hy-Pro Chemicals door-to-door sales runaways butyl cellosolve
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US Tobacco Industry Settles with States, Smokers
The series is the exclusive reporting on behind-the-scenes negotiations and the implications of the unprecedented $368.5 billion tobacco litigation settlement between tobacco industry executives, attorneys representing states and smokers, public health advocates, Clinton Administration officials and leading membes of Congress. The story shows how the settlement will lead to sweeping changes in the regulation and marketing of cigareetes as well as the implications for farmers, legislators, companies, shareholders, and politicians.
Tags: None
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Research Finds Smoking Results
More than 200 college students were surveyed regarding their usage of tobacco products. The results were compared to studies available on-line. The survey determined that two out of five students classified themselves as episodic smokers. Health counselors said even such part-time smoking leads to a lifetime addiction. (November 22, 1996)
Tags: Bell Owen Deming CAR Research finds smoking results Contest entry 5 pgs. Student entry
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Tobacco Strikes Back
Mother Jones investigates the tobacco industry's secret comeback strategy for the 1996 election campaign. The story includes a look at presidential hopeful Bob Dole and his connections to the tobacco industry. The article also covers how GOP governors secretly help "Big Tobacco," how the FDA tries to fight tobacco, how the Christian Coalition has tied itself to the tobacco industry, and the media's failures in covering the issues surrounding cigarette and tobacco use. (May - June 1996)
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No title (id: 13281)
Mother Jones magazine examines the tobacco industry. Included are Bob Dole's connections to the industry, the industry's war against the FDA and OSHA, as well as those members of Congress fighting for the tobacco industry, the right-wing views on tobacco, smoker's rights groups and the media's relationship with tobacco. (May/June 1996)
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No title (id: 13238)
Are tobacco companies blowing smoke when they deny manipulating the nicotine content of cigarettes? The Nation reports on the troubles facing the tobacco industry including five federal grand juries, a national class-action suit on behalf of all addicted smokers, an antitrust investigation by the Justice Department into an alleged conspiracy to stifle development of a fire-safe cigarette, and suits by the Attorneys General of five states to recover cigarette-related health costs. (March 4, 1996)
Tags: Zegart Buried Evidence Food and Drug Administration Addiction Consumer protection 5 pgs.
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Smoke Screens
The National Journal reports that "Since the mid-1980's, health groups, had loudly criticized Reagan and Bush Administration trade negotiators for their aggressive efforts to open Asian markets to American cigarette makers even as, on the home front, federal health officials were trying to reduce smoking. The Clinton Administration pledged early on to pay more attention to health issues when making tobacco trade policy than had its predecessors. The National Journal looks at Clinton's policy as South Korea requests to revise its seven-year-old agreement with the United States.