FOREST
FOREST, which describes itself as the "voice and friend of the smoker", is a
United Kingdom political pressure group that campaigns for the right of people to
smoke tobacco and opposes attempts to ban or reduce tobacco consumption, as well as casting doubt on medical claims of the health risks of smoking.
FOREST's website states that it is funded 'mainly' by the tobacco industry [
1].
FOREST was founded in
1979 by former Air Chief Marshal Sir
Christopher Foxley-Norris. The name FOREST is an acronym for "Freedom Organisation for the Right to Enjoy Smoking Tobacco".
In February 2006, it lost its fight against a total ban of smoking in enclosed public places in England from Summer 2007. This includes all pubs, bars, cafés and restaurants, as well as workplaces and private members clubs. Similar bans are coming into force in Scotland (March 2006), Northern Ireland (April 2007) and Wales (Autumn 2007).
According to the document "Minutes of the 11th Meeting of the Public Relations Sub-Committee of T.A.C. Held at Glen House, Stag Place, London, S.W.1. On Tuesday, 5th August 1979", at
tobaccodocuments.org, members of the
Public Relations sub-committee of the
Tobacco Advisory Committee, the British tobacco industry trade association, were minuted as saying, prior to the creation of FOREST:
Mr. Knowles said that a recent conversation with Geoffrey Evans indicated that 'Forest' would now not be launched before mid-June. It as felt that, in view of some of the reservations expressed about this organisation by PR agencies, the delay would not be to our disadvantage.Mr. Sanguinetti thought TAC should query the use of the name "Forest" in view of the unfortunate connotations that could be attached -- forest fires, backwoodsmen, etc. After discussion it was agreed that the Chairman should write to Sir Christopher Foxley Norris to let him know of our misgivings and propose a more straightforward title such as "Freedom to Smoke."Members discussed how TAC and the Companies should respond to press enquiries following the organisation's launch. The Chairman said he thought TAC should reply that while they were aware of its existence Glen House had no connection with the new organisation and that enquiries should be directed to member companies. Mr. Mulholland proposed that his company should reply that Forest was an independent organisation, that it seemed a good idea for it to support smokers and that the company had provided financial support and nothing more.*
Action on Smoking and Health*
FOREST website
