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New Orleans 1999/11/04 -The national leadership of the American Cancer Society, the nation’s leading voluntary health agency, today reacted with outrage to the events portrayed in the new motion picture "The Insider". "The Insider", which documents the story of tobacco industry whistle-blower Jeffrey Wigand and the efforts to expose that industry’s conspiracy to cover up the health risks associated with tobacco products, is produced by Touchstone Pictures and opens in theaters around the country this weekend.
"It is incredible to think that the events portrayed in this film are based on a true story," said John R. Seffrin, Ph.D., national chief executive officer of the two million member society. "Big Tobacco has a forty year history of lies, deceit and sinister business practices when it comes to full disclosure about the health risks associated with smoking."
National volunteer and staff leadership of the American Cancer Society were able to screen the film in the midst of their annual National Assembly meeting in New Orleans.
"As partners in the public health movement nationwide, the American Cancer Society urges concerned citizens everywhere to see firsthand for themselves the secret truth about this industry and its tactics," said John R. Kelly, Ph.D., incoming national chairman of the board of the society. "We are pleased that Hollywood and the compelling medium of film can help us reach the American people with the whole story about an industry and its attempts to manipulate the public."
The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy and service.
For information about cancer, call toll-free anytime 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit the American Cancer Society website at www.cancer.org.
Joann Schellenbach
American Cancer Society
212-382-2169
jschelle@cancer.org
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