U.S. News & World Report s Washington Whispers blog reports that at least four groups are skeptical of the credibility of the FDA s Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee (TPSAC). The left-leaning Center for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) has filed a formal complaint against the advisory panel, citing that two TPSAC members have a conflict of interest due to their close relationship with pharmaceutical products designed to curb smoking. ACSH, along with Altria Group and Americans for Limited Government, was also mentioned as an opposition group.
ACSH's Jeff Stier keenly observes, Most of the mainstream anti-smoking groups are strangely silent on this issue because they want a harsher view on the tobacco industry. Why aren t they up in arms as well?
