England’s Government Councils Investments in Tobacco Companies Pose Potential Conflict

A new report from the BBC finds the government councils that will have responsibility for leading local efforts to reduce the burden of death and disease from smoking beginning in 2013 have substantial investments in the tobacco industry, presenting potential conflict of interest. BBC reports that Councils across the east of England that are to take a lead role in NHS anti-smoking campaigns have invested more than £167m (US$ 259 million) in tobacco firms.