FOREST
Encyclopedia
FOREST is a United Kingdom
political pressure group
that campaigns from a pro-smoking perspective, opposing measures to reduce tobacco consumption on the grounds of defending a perceived right to smoke tobacco
. FOREST has also, on occasion, sought to dispute the health risks of smoking.
The organisation has been characterised by academic sources as a front group, as it was organised and funded by the tobacco industry
and has generated little grassroots
interest . According to internal memos, the tobacco industry designed FOREST to be controlled "through a third party, so that there would be no direct contact between tobacco company personnel or TAC (Tobacco Advisory Committee) and the director". FOREST markets itself as the "voice and friend of the smoker."
. In 1987, Lord Harris of High Cross, general director of the Institute of Economic Affairs
(1957–1989), was appointed chairman, a position he held until his death in October 2006. A long-term pipesmoker and an outspoken critic of smoke-free public places, Harris wrote numerous articles and essays on the subject of passive smoking
.
FOREST spokesmen occasionally appear on television and radio in the United Kingdom and are quoted by British newspapers as representatives of a pro-tobacco viewpoint. Despite this media visibility, FOREST's internal communications to the tobacco industry have argued that its real successes "cannot be publicised":
In 1996, the organisation launched the FOREST Guide To Smoking In London. Published by Quiller Press and written and edited by the writer and broadcaster, James Leavey
, the book was a guide to 'smoker-friendly' locations in London, also including a foreword by Auberon Waugh
and a preface by Jeffrey Bernard
. In July 2001, the organisation launched a second book in the series, the FOREST Guide To Smoking In Scotland: Where To Light Up.. The contents of both books have been subsequently superseded by smoke-free workplaces regulations which include licensed premises.
group created and primarily funded by the tobacco industry. Its establishent was planned by the Tobacco Advisory Committee, the British tobacco industry trade association
. At a 1979 meeting, the Tobacco Advisory Committee discussed the launch of FOREST as well as ways to maintain its appearance of independence.
After its founding, grassroots interest in FOREST was meagre and failed to make the organisation self-financing, despite aggressive membership campaigns. In one instance, 10,000 cigarette retailers were solicited to join FOREST, but only four joined. Thus, financial support from the tobacco industry remained the major source of funding for FOREST, while funding from outside the industry was minimal.
Notwithstanding efforts to create the appearance of independence, the Tobacco Advisory Council controlled leadership at FOREST. Internal industry memos stipulated: "If money invested [in FOREST] is to be properly effective then control and management are essential." Contact between the Executive Director of FOREST and the Tobacco Advisory Council was envisaged "on an almost daily basis."
, inventor Trevor Baylis
, musician Joe Jackson
, cook Antony Worrall Thompson
, and Claire Fox
, director of the Institute of Ideas. Nevertheless, in February 2006, FOREST lost its fight against comprehensive smoke-free workplace regulations in England, achieved via a House of Commons free vote and implemented on 1 July 2007. Complementing smoke-free workplace regulations already introduced in Scotland (March 2006), Northern Ireland (Spring 2007) and Wales (April 2007), this included all pubs, bars, cafés and restaurants, private members' clubs and any indoor workplace. Despite this UK-wide defeat, FOREST has undertaken to continue to lobby under a 'freedom of choice' banner and in 2010 launched an Irish branch, Forest Eireann
- the Republic of Ireland being the first administration to institute nationwide smoke-free workplace regulations in 2003.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
political pressure group
Pressure groups in the United Kingdom
This is a list of pressure groups in the United Kingdom. These pressure groups, based on their relationship with United Kingdom policy makers, can be divided into insider groups, who have high degree of involvement and influence and outsider groups, who have little or no direct involvement or...
that campaigns from a pro-smoking perspective, opposing measures to reduce tobacco consumption on the grounds of defending a perceived right to smoke tobacco
Tobacco smoking
Tobacco smoking is the practice where tobacco is burned and the resulting smoke is inhaled. The practice may have begun as early as 5000–3000 BCE. Tobacco was introduced to Eurasia in the late 16th century where it followed common trade routes...
. FOREST has also, on occasion, sought to dispute the health risks of smoking.
The organisation has been characterised by academic sources as a front group, as it was organised and funded by the tobacco industry
Tobacco industry
The tobacco industry comprises those persons and companies engaged in the growth, preparation for sale, shipment, advertisement, and distribution of tobacco and tobacco-related products. It is a global industry; tobacco can grow in any warm, moist environment, which means it can be farmed on all...
and has generated little grassroots
Grassroots
A grassroots movement is one driven by the politics of a community. The term implies that the creation of the movement and the group supporting it are natural and spontaneous, highlighting the differences between this and a movement that is orchestrated by traditional power structures...
interest . According to internal memos, the tobacco industry designed FOREST to be controlled "through a third party, so that there would be no direct contact between tobacco company personnel or TAC (Tobacco Advisory Committee) and the director". FOREST markets itself as the "voice and friend of the smoker."
History
FOREST's initial public figurehead, in 1979, was former Air Chief Marshal Sir Christopher Foxley-NorrisChristopher Foxley-Norris
Air Chief Marshal Sir Christopher Neil Foxley-Norris GCB, DSO, OBE, FRSA was a squadron commander during World War II and, later, the RAF's commander-in-chief in Germany.-Early life:...
. In 1987, Lord Harris of High Cross, general director of the Institute of Economic Affairs
Institute of Economic Affairs
The Institute of Economic Affairs , founded in 1955, styles itself the UK's pre-eminent free-market think-tank. Its mission is to improve understanding of the fundamental institutions of a free society by analysing and expounding the role of markets in solving economic and social...
(1957–1989), was appointed chairman, a position he held until his death in October 2006. A long-term pipesmoker and an outspoken critic of smoke-free public places, Harris wrote numerous articles and essays on the subject of passive smoking
Passive smoking
Passive smoking is the inhalation of smoke, called secondhand smoke or environmental tobacco smoke , from tobacco products used by others. It occurs when tobacco smoke permeates any environment, causing its inhalation by people within that environment. Exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke causes...
.
FOREST spokesmen occasionally appear on television and radio in the United Kingdom and are quoted by British newspapers as representatives of a pro-tobacco viewpoint. Despite this media visibility, FOREST's internal communications to the tobacco industry have argued that its real successes "cannot be publicised":
Measuring FOREST purely in terms of media coverage denies the existence of other work in which it is engaged but which cannot be publicised. In short, if others can be persuaded to "sing the same tune" this is of more value than anything that might be said by the tobacco industry itself, or FOREST.
In 1996, the organisation launched the FOREST Guide To Smoking In London. Published by Quiller Press and written and edited by the writer and broadcaster, James Leavey
James Leavey
James Leavey is a British writer and broadcaster who has gained some notoriety as a champion of smokers’ rights. His appearance on the BBC Horizon programme ‘We love cigarettes’ attracted criticism in the press most notably from the Independent and The Times...
, the book was a guide to 'smoker-friendly' locations in London, also including a foreword by Auberon Waugh
Auberon Waugh
Auberon Alexander Waugh was a British author and journalist, son of the novelist Evelyn Waugh. He was known to his family and friends as Bron Waugh.-Life and career:...
and a preface by Jeffrey Bernard
Jeffrey Bernard
Jeffrey Bernard was a British journalist, best known for his weekly column "Low Life" in the Spectator magazine, and also notorious for a feckless and chaotic career and life of alcohol abuse. He became associated with the louche and bohemian atmosphere that existed in London's Soho district...
. In July 2001, the organisation launched a second book in the series, the FOREST Guide To Smoking In Scotland: Where To Light Up.. The contents of both books have been subsequently superseded by smoke-free workplaces regulations which include licensed premises.
Funding and membership
FOREST has been described as an astroturfAstroturfing
Astroturfing is a form of advocacy in support of a political, organizational, or corporate agenda, designed to give the appearance of a "grassroots" movement. The goal of such campaigns is to disguise the efforts of a political and/or commercial entity as an independent public reaction to some...
group created and primarily funded by the tobacco industry. Its establishent was planned by the Tobacco Advisory Committee, the British tobacco industry trade association
Trade association
A trade association, also known as an industry trade group, business association or sector association, is an organization founded and funded by businesses that operate in a specific industry...
. At a 1979 meeting, the Tobacco Advisory Committee discussed the launch of FOREST as well as ways to maintain its appearance of independence.
After its founding, grassroots interest in FOREST was meagre and failed to make the organisation self-financing, despite aggressive membership campaigns. In one instance, 10,000 cigarette retailers were solicited to join FOREST, but only four joined. Thus, financial support from the tobacco industry remained the major source of funding for FOREST, while funding from outside the industry was minimal.
Notwithstanding efforts to create the appearance of independence, the Tobacco Advisory Council controlled leadership at FOREST. Internal industry memos stipulated: "If money invested [in FOREST] is to be properly effective then control and management are essential." Contact between the Executive Director of FOREST and the Tobacco Advisory Council was envisaged "on an almost daily basis."
Recent developments
While fighting proposals to restrict smoking in public places, FOREST attracted the support of celebrity smokers including artist David HockneyDavid Hockney
David Hockney, CH, RA, is an English painter, draughtsman, printmaker, stage designer and photographer, who is based in Bridlington, Yorkshire and Kensington, London....
, inventor Trevor Baylis
Trevor Baylis
Trevor Graham Baylis OBE is an English inventor. He is best known for inventing the wind-up radio. Rather than using batteries or external electrical source, the radio is powered by the user winding a crank for several seconds. This stores energy in a spring which then drives an electrical...
, musician Joe Jackson
Joe Jackson (musician)
Joe Jackson is an English musician and singer-songwriter now living in Berlin, whose five Grammy Award nominations span from 1979 to 2001...
, cook Antony Worrall Thompson
Antony Worrall Thompson
Henry Antony Cardew Worrall Thompson is a British celebrity chef, television presenter and radio broadcaster.-Biography:...
, and Claire Fox
Claire Fox
Claire Fox , also known as Claire Foster, is a British writer. She is the director and founder of the British think tank, the Institute of Ideas, and a prominent former member of the Revolutionary Communist Party....
, director of the Institute of Ideas. Nevertheless, in February 2006, FOREST lost its fight against comprehensive smoke-free workplace regulations in England, achieved via a House of Commons free vote and implemented on 1 July 2007. Complementing smoke-free workplace regulations already introduced in Scotland (March 2006), Northern Ireland (Spring 2007) and Wales (April 2007), this included all pubs, bars, cafés and restaurants, private members' clubs and any indoor workplace. Despite this UK-wide defeat, FOREST has undertaken to continue to lobby under a 'freedom of choice' banner and in 2010 launched an Irish branch, Forest Eireann
Forest Eireann
Forest Eireann is an Irish lobby group that claims to speak on behalf of smokers. It aims to replicate the activities of its parent group, FOREST, in the UK, an organisation that gets 96% of its funding from the tobacco industry, including Gallaher PLC...
- the Republic of Ireland being the first administration to institute nationwide smoke-free workplace regulations in 2003.
See also
- Action on Smoking and HealthAction on Smoking and HealthAction on Smoking and Health is the name of a number of autonomous pressure groups/charities throughout the world which seek to publicize the risks associated with tobacco smoking and campaigns for greater restrictions on cigarette and tobacco sales....
- Smoking banSmoking banSmoking bans are public policies, including criminal laws and occupational safety and health regulations, which prohibit tobacco smoking in workplaces and/or other public spaces...
s - List of smoking bans: United Kingdom