1994 - Tobacco Company CEOs Testify Before Congress

In 1994, United States Congressman Harry Waxman held a famous series of Congressional hearings. The presidents and CEOs of the seven largest American tobacco companies were subpoenaed to testify before Waxman's committee. On April 14, 1994, after more than six hours of sharp questioning by members of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health and the Environment, the seven CEOs steadfastly refused to budge under stringent questioning that they knew cigarettes were addictive. Each stated under oath that they did not believe nicotine was addictive.
Within months, a perjury investigation was initiated by the Department of Justice. Ultimately, the Department of Justice claimed it did not have enough evidence to prosecute for perjury because the CEOs testified under oath that they believed nicotine did not addict people. Because they had used the word "believe," they could not be prosecuted for perjury

[@kotzpenner]

Ladies and Gentlemen, here I present you the personification of sociopathic corporate greed.

[@funkyflights]

Exactly ….

[@benedictcumberbatch4275]

Thank you

[@kevinrichardson6686]

Money makes people lie

[@wako1576]

@@kevinrichardson6686 These people are rich enough to get anything they want for a lifetime, and successful enough to switch into any other industry for a position that pays just as well. They don't do it for the money.

[@derp8575]

Not just greed. They want us dead. Hopefully you took your advice during the sweet & sour sniffles.

[@FRISHR]

“I believe I love money so much that I have to lie to maintain selling my unhealthy products.”

[@benedictcumberbatch4275]

Goes for prescription pills to I believe

[@Eliunderwood619]

​@benedictcumberbatch4275 but the crazy part is that these CEOs have always had that "spotlight of corruption" shining on them for many years. If you told many people that you work for a cigarette company, likely at least one of them will judge you in a negative way. But put this into perspective, no corrupt doctor will admit to medical malpractice, no corrupt cop or lawyer will admit to abuse of power, there are many professions that are widely respected and the people in those fields are respected just for being in those positions yet we fail as a society to hold the corrupt accountable. Actually in a sense, the cigarette companies are less corrupt because than many other industries because their corruption is in plain view, everyone else is sneaky and conniving

[@RandomBoxingGuy]

What they meant to say was = “I DO NOT BELIEVE ...that admitting the addictive properties of nicotine exist, would be good for business”

[@minimalisticmusic87]

YES THE NICOTINE ITSELF IT IS IN FACT VERY HARD TO GET ADDICTED TO IT BUT THE OTHER S*HIT IN THE CIGARETTES IS. DO YOU KNOW THAT YOU HAVE NICOTINE IN TOMATOES AUBERGENE AND MANY OF THE VEGETABLES AND HAVE YOU ASKED YOURSELF THE QUESTION WHY PEOPLE ARE SAYING THAT THE NICOTINE PATCHES OR CHEWING GUM DOES NOT WORK AND THEY START SMOKING AGAIN? THINK ABOUT THAT :)

[@Ozrico1o1]

Just reading the comments, I realize there's probably many of the younger gen that have little or no knowledge of this event, which was pretty momentous. Pre-web era of course, this story unfolded on all the papers & networks for years and culminated to this day, where Waxman waxed their butts. At the time, America wouldn't have doubted one or two or perhaps even a few of these guys denying nicotine addiction, but he had them all say it in turn, which they had to do in the interest of the company each was representing, and that's what destroyed the credibility of them all.

[@benedictcumberbatch4275]

Need to shut down the big tobacco companies. I smoked for close to 20 years and have always felt like crap while smoking until quitting. (Just a habit) The stuff is poison that has no health benefits. Let people grow their own if they still want to smoke, same as weed, but end the giant companies mass producing this lung polluting crap.

[@dawest767]

I was in college that year, and we ALL knew that nicotine was addictive, and we knew even before that. Looking back on this, it's absurd that anyone watching this would have been like "of course nicotine is not addictive". We all knew it.

[@belfry43]

Read the book, "Ashes to Ashes" about the history of tobacco companies in America. My favorite part was their plan to "have a cigarette in every child's mouth by age 13".

[@odoylusmcrulusiv8793]

+belfry43 If someone figured out how to market dogshit well, people would buy it

[@user-xl1ni1tv4s]

Happened to me, I was 12 when I had my first Ciggerrette simply to fit in to the crowd I was going for(was big into skateboarding as a kid) and was basically hooked after that, now I’m 23, I’ve quit once when I was around 18 but didn’t last more than a year, trying to quit a second time, day 5 cold turkey. Quitting isn’t hard, it’s the cravings years after that get you to come back. I’m always paranoid about my health. I really do think I got it this time, I wanna stick around.

[@robertskolimowski7049]

@@user-xl1ni1tv4s Oh man, I really hope u've given up smoking for good this time, and are strong (u seem so pal👍) enough to overcome any future cravings🤞🏻👏 It's good to be 'paranoid/obsessed' with healthy life style etc., I am myself (after years of heavy drinking and eating shit) Good luck and God bless, buddy🤞🏻

[@odoylusmcrulusiv8793]

Sir, do you believe I am wearing glasses? No, I do not believe you are wearing glasses. I am in fact wearing glasses at this moment Sir, I do not believe that you are wearing glasses I am now holding the glasses in my hands, do you believe I am holding these glasses? I do not believe there are glasses in your hands

[@Teralek]

These people should be in jail for life all 7 of them. These kind of people kill more than all terrorists in the world combined

[@Juicemunkey1010]

Criminals

[@PkGam]

We all know they knew. Even though they weren't prosecuted due to their sneaky use of "believe", they made fools of themselves on TV and people will never forget this.

[@benedictcumberbatch4275]

People did forget.

[@benedictcumberbatch4275]

So much news is injected into peoples thoughts this is just another piece of junk in the pile.

[@DennisMcCoy-b2r]

@@benedictcumberbatch4275 Someone invented vaping and other products and now they are indirectly advertising to kids. Adults don't start smoking, almost all smokers begin in their teens in some form of rebellion. No direct advertising in most countries means all blame shifted to politicians. Blame these guys

[@benedictcumberbatch4275]

@@DennisMcCoy-b2rwhoever makes and sells cigarettes are to blame for anything. But it’s also kind of both. Adults know the bad effects of smoking. Imo cigarettes sales should be banned, but still allow people to grow their own tobacco, just not big companies who mass produce. Cigarettes just seem too toxic imo.

[@jaysmith3622]

April 22nd 2019. I quit after this video. Cheers

[@DirePotato]

Jay Smith 24. July 2019 Time to quit aswell.

[@jaysmith3622]

3 months in, not one ciggie. If you see this and want to quit post your clean date. Let's keep it going!

[@WestwardKey]

@@DirePotato my birthday! Hope you are still off the cigs Petr!

[@apostolosfilippos]

This was and will always be the case. Don't believe someone that will profit out of everything. Being a drug, chemical, additive, etc.

[@tharun960]

I wonder if tobacco company employees or CEOs laugh at the public for smoking and whether they don't smoke themselves?

[@andrewcruz3837]

Duh

[@benedictcumberbatch4275]

That would be really wicked

[@julietteyork6293]

Like vax manufacturers and vax pushers like Albert Bourla and Bill Gates?

[@somethingsomething9008]

"We don't smoke this shit, we just sell it. We reserve the right to smoke for the young, the poor, the Black, and the stupid."

[@dejathebasednationalist957]

Don’t get high on your own supply

[@skyler1111able]

When I grew up the surgeon general was promoting cigarettes, so was doctors and dentists.

[@benedictcumberbatch4275]

Ignorance. Maybe they still are in some ways.

[@julietteyork6293]

@@benedictcumberbatch4275 Doctors blindly pushed the clot shot and dismissed prophylaxis and early treatment so they’re as clueless and corrupt today as they were then.

[@voluntarism335]

the tabacco company would also say smoking doesn't cause cancer, lmfao

[@concerned1]

“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, but lose his soul?"

[@nicktheg00]

Just like what's happening today with fossil fuel industries and climate change, such an eerie similiarity.

[@TheGuardian163]

+nicktheg00 I don't know about the guys in the video but I know some actually do not believe in climat change (caused by human rather than by itself)

[@Competitive_Antagonist]

nicktheg00 Politician - "Do you believe CO2 is important for life on Earth?" Oil company executive - "I believe that CO2 is important for life on Earth." Me - "Ask a better fucking question"

[@lukemurphy6244]

Climate change is cause by the Sun. Humans impact on the climate is almost non existent. The climate has always changed since before humans existed. There's no comparison to be found here. This, if anything, would be the same as if the meat and dairy industry had to testify before congress - the meat and dairy industry always lie about their foods not being carcinogenic. They've got the wool pulled over most peoples eyes. Climate change exists but humans aren't causing it. It's total bullshit.

[@bigbunny4000]

Luke Murphy youre a fucking idiot, just look at the damn icebergs, caused by humans!!!!

[@bigbunny4000]

jesus christ... okay, lets just keep on littering our planet, great mindset you dumbfuck! yes, the earth wont collapse, but we have to try to survive as long as possible.

[@chica1111chica]

This goes to show that "facts" follow the money whether it concern drugs, tobacco, etc.

[@dreadwhite6633]

WOW. Liars.....

[@dayungathlete]

I am stunned this video has such a small amount of views.

[@E.L.L.E]

This is sick.

[@elkillerx]

Not addictive are you kidding me?? These guys are messed up in the head.

[@shoeboltz]

"I do believe nicotine is not addictive" 😐... And to think people have gotten death threats for far smaller offences or just doing what's RIGHT... It's like they sat there an denied cancer was a disease.... These... things shouldn't be able to or need sleep at night.

[@Sylvanas17]

hey that congressman was in last week tonight! what a great man

[@teksal13]

Did anyone record the entire hearing? I saw it years ago and it was great!

[@9094nancyj]

Just ask the people suffering from emphysema, lung cancer, heart attacks, etc. if they believe nicotine is NOT addictive. I think you would get a more realistic answer.

[@manictiger]

And brain damage. It starves the brain of oxygen and puts mutagenic, carcinogenic toxins into it. If you want to get rid of any competitive edge you might have possibly ever had, smoke, drink, eat like crap and do what everyone else is doing. Become the dull-eyed slave they want you to be.

[@apocfaildotorg]

“I believe” in place of actual facts. Sounds AWFULLY familiar...

[@subaruwrxsti300]

Surreal!

[@funkyflights]

LoL, that alone should make anyone who smokes quit …

[@Dazzwidd]

Hmmm I wonder if these men have anything even approaching a conscience. Seems doubtful

[@DrDoinks]

Imagine if congress had the same energy today against hyper-processed foods loaded with refined carbs and sugar. If we went after bad food and sedentary lifestyle as hard as we did cigarettes, our collective public health in the U.S would be MUCH better today.

[@ryanhosey3855]

this....

[@Peter-wp5vb]

snakes

[@nealbeard1]

This mindset is in all large corporations' boardrooms

[@nutelina]

But what was the verdict?

[@rasmuspaluffen]

So.. Jail?

[@Nasaass164]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAH Nicotine is not addicted HAHAHAHAAH wtf. Im struggling to quit smoking for years MTFS!

[@mysterymayhem7020]

Listen to this and compare it to senate hearings on Facebook and Instagram today. Very similar.

[@robertskolimowski7049]

Poor guys, blinded by greed with their conscience suppressed...

[@AnanyaGupta]

At this point they don't have any conscience left - they're pretty much the devil's incarnate and would gladly break bread with Hitler.

[@LarryLunchbox]

Should ask the congressman if politicians are corrupt

[@MrAndyBowman]

Cant quit till i cant spit

[@selcouth86]

They're such stereotypical corporate mouthpieces. This could easily have been a Monty Python sketch, with everyone reaching for their cigarettes at the end and desperately looking around for a light.

[@darthsidious8596]

You'd think they would say, "Nicotine is addictive, but people already know that when they start smoking."

[@tarboll7]

Oh WoW! i always thought nicotine was addictive...huh?

[@trap3400]

*Crack is not addictive*

[@AnanyaGupta]

So they all went to jail for perjury, right?

[@DropTheMyc]

Nicotine is not addictive but all the chemicals they put in it are 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@masonnix9566]

Im sick and tired of this.

[@lorraine70]

Your beliefs matter 💯

[@Dafastso]

audio is out of sync

[@echad6259]

Drug dealers

[@ryanhosey3855]

I'm a smoker, but these guys have always operated from a place of secrecy. It was never a good look. Transparency should have been mandated from the getgo

[@pcprinciple3774]

But the big pharma CEOs would never lie to you

[@bbodinefan11]

Respect to Wyden.

[@vladimirristevski14]

are nicotine patches addictive?

[@bryansmith7238]

Kek

[@DennisMcCoy-b2r]

Do these people smoke?

[@mdmbkr3783]

Who’s the girl?

[@jackthebassman1]

The things people will do to protect their phoney jobs, disgusting liars, all of them.

[@crikey1mate]

i believe them bc you can't lie under oath

[@tyroneshoes4049]

habit forming yes, addicting no.

[@tarboll7]

i cant believe it. nicotine is not addictive. im going to start smoking

[@tarboll7]

i wouldnt spend that much money just because i was bored

[@dreallen2000]

Please support my directorial debut film "Where There's Fire" which is a controversial new drama where a group of cancer patients take a group of tobacco executives hostage and holds them accountable for their disgusting conduct!

[@humayunlaskar627]

It is addictive

[@masonnix9566]

I cant stand politicians.

[@jjvwcraftergaming163]

Lmao

[@MrSpinteractive]

FUCKING AMAZING

[@Stret173]

So they all are smokers, right?

[@eonic11]

Many years ago I heard that the head of a British tobacco company was a non smoker. Did you know smoking was considered weird centuries ago? kzbin.info/www/bejne/oGW9fZVqlst8gNk

[@sineadbarnett2933]

This is happening now with the dairy industry. All independent studies show its consumption accelerates the growth of cancer cells but the government is agreed to push dairy consumption as a result of pressure from big food and big pharma who both profit from dairy sales.

[@sineadbarnett2933]

SS i dont know what gtfo means. But i agree its happening with big food and big pharma.

[@bobbysanchezlive659]

Now it’s happening with the covid vaccines

[@SmellLies]

Nicotine isn’t addictive, it’s the additives that are addictive like pyrazines. Research!

[@Wafaloo]

Who else is here from The Insider?

[@tarboll7]

maybe people use tobacco for boredom or habit by repetition

[@larslarsj]

second that

[@ianswift3521]

Claudine Gay's heroes.

[@sheilaweaver66]

Fi

[@evankinsler4569]

You see, when I dislike a video, it is for a REASON.

[@robertskolimowski7049]

It can get tricky with those dis/likes, e.g. I hate the bloody bastards, but I liked the video...

[@JRLOC]

Republicans loved tobacco money.

[@masterbetty3020]

I believe that Marlboros taste the best.

[@sonjamarx385]

Interesting. The CEOs weren't asked if cigarettes are addictive, because then the honest answer would have been "yes". But they were asked if nicotine is addictive and they said "no" - which is the correct answer. Pure nicotine is not dependence forming, let alone addictive. Dr. Newhouses Vanderbilt studies have clearly shown that. Dr. Fagerström has renamed his test from "nicotine addiction" to "tobacco addiction" after he discovered that administering pure nicotine doesn't create dependance in never-smokers. FDA conclude that nicotine replacement therapy products are suitable for long-term usage because they don't cause dependence, let alone addiction. Nicotine is freely available over the counter for kids above the age of 12 years. FDA recommends these products for adolescents. A "highly addictive" product? Very unlikely!

[@hautoa1513]

I mean the second guy straight up said "cigarettes are not addictive" and another said their products arent... So

[@michaelglaser1669]

Hahhahahahaa

[@user-pe9vr8xh2o]

Maybe the addictive components aren't addictive but another additive. Classic political move, lie buy speaking the truth

[@Competitive_Antagonist]

I believe that rolling cigarettes is not addictive.

[@jswinginit1]

I wanna like the video, for algorithm purposes, but it carries a disgusting message, to which my like can be inapprpriately construed as "I approve." Suggestions? Liked anyways...smh.

[@thejuiceman1190]

Ill trust the tobacco guys over congress any day of the week

[@JohnKienle3840]

You're a fucking idiot. The Tobacco companies are lowlife scumbag pieces of trash. They don't care how many people die from their garbage products. They just want to selfishly make money. The Congress are trying to help people. They're trying to make peoples lives better because they care about people.

[@stevendavid9196]

We paid every one of these men ! They are all actors for the RJ REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANY! CIA ILLUMINATI! I was all just a act! The Congress took the money from us to!

[@TheDivineCallingofJesusChrist]

This what they do with the trans movement...

[@farahchahd2940]

I do smoke for years and i do believe nicotine is not addictive but cigarettes is addictive. Just bad habit and if there s cigarettes without nicotine and u used for awhile you ll be addict to it.

[@colinfletcher7520]

Look smoking like any other addiction is a choice. Everyone knows the danger of them but they still smoke ( me included ) We all die one way or another. Ok so example. One of my grandmas never drank smoked or anything claimed to be (deadly to consume) she died at 68. My other grandma smoked 3 packs a day and drank a pint of whiskey every night. She made it to 87 Stop blaming big companies for people dying folks

[@HoratioAlger-ry8zu]

This was so based I miss the good old days. Been smoking Marlboro Red's for over 40 years now.