CEO DATELINE - U.S. Chamber takes issue with NY Times report on tobacco lobbying
CEO DATELINE - U.S. Chamber takes issue with NY Times report on tobacco lobbying
- October 12, 2015 |
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Walt Williams
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A recent New York Times article claims the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has become an aggressive lobbying force for tobacco under the watch of CEO Tom Donohue—an accusation the Chamber vigorously disputes.
The Oct. 9 article by journalist Danny Hakim paints the Chamber as "Big Tobacco's Staunch Friend in Washington." Hakim cites the organization's efforts on behalf of the tobacco industry both at home and abroad.
"By its own bylaws, issues taken up by the Chamber are supposed to reflect those of ‘broad significance to business and industry,'" Hakim reported. "Mr. Donohue's tobacco advocacy reflects a Chamber more willing to take on parochial interests. And members in other industries, some of whom have benefited from the Chamber's strategy, have largely tolerated revelations about the Chamber's tobacco lobbying." http://nyti.ms/1MnaKh4
Hakim has written about the links between the Chamber and tobacco industry in the past. Earlier this year, pharmacy retail chain CVS Health quit the organization after one such article appeared. However, in a rebuttal published on its website, the Chamber argues the journalist misrepresents data to make it look like the organization has singled out the tobacco industry for special treatment.
"How the Chamber's success in advocating for American business is ‘epitomized by its aggressive advocacy for tobacco' more than its aggressive advocacy for health care companies or small businesses is never explored," wrote Blair Latoff Holmes, the Chamber's executive director of media relations.
Holmes added that Hakim provides no evidence for how the Chamber's advocacy has disproportionately helped the tobacco industry. She also noted that tobacco company contributions constitute less than .2 percent of Chamber's overall revenue. http://uscham.com/1OwMhu8
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