Academic journal is criticised for publishing special issue funded by tobacco industry

The American Journal of Health Behaviour has come under fire from anti-smoking charities and academics for publishing a special issue sponsored by an e-cigarette manufacturer in which a tobacco company has a minority stake.

The special issue was sponsored by e-cigarette manufacturer Juul.1 One of the world’s largest tobacco companies—Altria, the parent company of Philip Morris USA—has a minority stake in Juul.

The papers included in the special issue focus on the implications of switching from cigarettes to Juul systems, and dual use of cigarettes and Juul products. The special issue was coordinated and edited by Saul Shiffman, a consultant at Pinney Associates, which has also provided consulting services to British American Tobacco and Reynolds American.

Matthew Myers, president of Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, said, “After decades of tobacco companies paying previously …