Security alert at Bath University after threats to tobacco researchers
Security has been stepped up at the University of Bath after staff working in its tobacco control research group were subjected to threats and abuse.
Pro-smoking activists are intensifying the pressure on academics and health campaigners across the UK, as the Government looks into whether cigarettes should only be sold in plain packets.
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University of Bath
The team at Bath has received threatening and abusive phone calls and emails after publishing an article in January about the illegal trade in a smokeless tobacco called snus.
Professor Anna Gilmore, from the university’s Tobacco Control Research Unit, said she received a message from one caller saying: “Tell her that I know people that would like to meet with her in a dark alley.”
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The group received about seven calls a day for two months and Professor Gilmore said it was clear that a certain sector of people had planned to undermine and disrupt their work.
She said: “The ones I answered were intimidatory; the tone was aggressive. Many of my team felt threatened and worried by this.
“We’ve had abuse before, over the debate about banning smoking in public places, and I get some of this every time I publish a paper, but it’s increasing.
“This is part of a deliberate attempt to misinform the public and politicians, denigrate our research and to harass, denigrate and undermine us as researchers.”
The university has now launched a new website, TobaccoTactics.org, to monitor and counter moves by the industry and its supporters.
Comments
by Maria20101
Saturday, June 23 2012, 11:03AM
“Here's a video that reminds us that MOST smokers are normal, lovely people.
http://tinyurl.com/bs3egpt”
by Maria20101
Saturday, June 16 2012, 4:56PM
“Come on Charles, just because I've given concrete, referenced examples of your lies you feel you have to retaliate with that pathetic attempt at a smear.
It's just more wriggling.
You said that the murder post "was done as a joke in retaliation to Tobacco Control advocating the killing of smokers"
I presume from your inability to say whic h Tobacco Control group advocated the killing of smokers we add this to the catalogue of lies that you have brought to this discussion.”
by Maria20101
Saturday, June 16 2012, 1:14PM
“Ah, you found a typo. But it's good that you have stopped arguing that freedom2choose's blog advocated the murder of Duncan BANNATYNE and ASH staff.”
by Maria20101
Friday, June 15 2012, 7:02PM
“Come on Charles,
"I think you also lied when you said that the murder post "was done as a joke in retaliation to Tobacco Control advocating the killing of smokers"
Which Tobacco Control group has advocated the killing of smokers?"”
by Maria20101
Friday, June 15 2012, 7:01PM
“well OF COURSE you want me to stop exposing the lies of freedom2choose members.
I'm not going away”
by BillC4
Friday, June 15 2012, 6:22PM
“Maria20101 - Let's call an end to this particular debate or lack of debate. Totally agree with the last comments from Marma495. There will be more articles on smoking in the future to comment on, but please actually come up some reasoned arguments rather than attacking opponents. You are boring me and others to death!”
by suffolkpunch
Friday, June 15 2012, 4:50PM
“Marma. I fully agree. Maria needs to get a life!”
by marma495
Friday, June 15 2012, 4:45PM
“Maria I am almost beginning to feel sorry for you. Are you insecure?
Over the course of the last nine days you have made no less than 61 posts and said absolutely nothing apart from making attempts to intimidate and bully anyone with different views to yourself I am now of the opinion that you too are indeed a member of an organisation but obviously too ashamed to admit it.
My views are totally different to yours and yes when I,m offered the chance to voice my opinion, I will take it. Judging by your 61 comments, it would appear that you have some mistaken idea that people, other than you, should not be allowed to air their views. Might I remind you that currently we do have free speech in this country and furthermore it is not illegal to join an organisation, as you in particular, must be well aware. As for any talk on lobbying, everyone knows all the anti- smoking organisations are particularly adept at that.
You have consistently rabbited on about NOTHING yet amazingly everyone with a different viewpoint to yours has been " marked " down. Suggests a lot of members of 'your ' organisation are helping you out, certainly not the general public who I expect have long since got bored to death with this article and it,s comments.”
by suffolkpunch
Friday, June 15 2012, 4:27PM
“Maria said 'The blog didn't advocate murdering Bath University staff did it? It advocated murdering ASH staff and Duncan Bannatine'.
That is a lie. It did not advocate murdering Duncan Bannatine'”
by suffolkpunch
Friday, June 15 2012, 4:27PM
“Maria said 'The blog didn't advocate murdering Bath University staff did it? It advocated murdering ASH staff and Duncan Bannatine'.
That is a lie. It did not advocate murdering Duncan Bannatine'”