Tobacco Industry Whistle Blower to Speak At WSU

PULLMAN, Wash. — Victor DeNoble, former Philip Morris research scientist turned tobacco industry whistler blower, will tell his story at Washington State University Nov. 8 at 6 p.m. in Todd Hall Auditorium. 

DeNoble was one of the first to provide insider information about the tobacco industry and became a key part of the federal government’s case against the industry. He has been featured on “60 minutes” and “Dateline NBC,” and the 2000 Oscar-nominated movie “The Insider” was partially based on his experience.

In his presentation, he will tear down the wall of secrecy surrounding the tobacco industry and expose the extreme tactics tobacco companies used to keep smokers addicted. 

DeNoble was recruited by Philip Morris in the 1980s to develop a safer cigarette. While working for Philip Morris, he studied the effects of nicotine in a secret laboratory. He was fired after he succeeded in developing a less harmful substitute for nicotine. The company feared DeNoble’s findings would expose its lies and damage profits.         

DeNoble now speaks to raise awareness of the dangers and extreme addictiveness of tobacco products. Audiences describe his charismatic and entertaining presentations as eye opening and as something that will stay with them the rest of their lives.

The event is hosted by the Cougar Health Awareness Team and Health and Wellness Services and is free and open to the public.  For more information, go to www.hws.wsu.edu.