The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: To demonstrate how the tobacco industry clandestinely funds seminars for judges to influence their opinions in cases that concern the tobacco industry. The presentation examines the financial and political support the tobacco industry gives to conservative organizations who host judicial seminars, including those created and solely funded by the tobacco industry itself. Judicial ethics and adherence to these standards have undergone a decline as a result of these seminars, and a solution is necessary to satisfy both the judges' need for continuing education and the public's need to view judges as impartial.

Methods: Through the use of internal tobacco industry documents, press accounts, and documents generated by judicial seminar sponsors, the picture emerging will be one of complicity and cooperation between individuals and political groups with a pro-business agenda and the tobacco companies, one of the world's largest industries. Explanation of the federal and judicial rules governing judges' interaction with potential litigants, including those hosting judicial seminars, will show that in most cases, it is inappropriate for judges to attend these seminars.

Results: Participants will be challenged to publicize and resist this unsavory and unethical practice.