Louis Francis Bantle

Louis Francis Bantle was President of United States Tobacco Company (a spit tobacco manufacturer) and was on the Board of the Council for Tobacco Research (CTR). He also served on the Tobacco Institute Executive Committee. Bantle testifed in the Sean Marsee case, the case of a teenager who died from oral cancer caused by chewing tobacco. Bantle, was quoted in a 1970s newspaper article, said, "We've gotten excellent sales from young people. In Texas today, a kid wouldn't dare go to school even if he doesn't use the (smokeless tobacco) product, without a can in his Levis."(L. White, Merchants of Death, 1988).

= Biography =

Louis Bantle was President of United States Tobacco Company, located at 100 West Putnam Avenue, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830. He also served as Chief Executive Officer. He was Chairman of the Board for UST for 20 years and worked for UST for a total of 31 years. UST manufactures Skoal and Copehagen brands.

Bantle has knowledge of United States Tobacco Company's and the tobacco industry's participation in public fraud and disinformation relative to health hazards of tobacco use, in the manipulation of nicotine in tobacco products and in marketing of tobacco products to children. Bantle was president of U.S. Tobacco Co., on the Executive Committee for Tobacco Institute and a member of the Council for Tobacco Research Board of Directors (N.M.'s Council for Tobacco Research Who's Who). Bantle was president of United States Tobacco Company (? to 1985) (L. White, Merchants 1988). Bantle testified by video deposition in the Marsee (smokeless tobacco) trial, 1986 (L. White, Merchant 1988). In 1985, Bantle was succeeded as UST president by Nicholas A. Buoniconti White, Merchants 1988). Bantle, quoted 1970s newspaper article, "We've gotten excellent sales from young people.  In Texas today, a kid wouldn't dare go to school even if he doesn't use the (smokeless tobacco) product, without a can in his Levis."  (L. White, Merchants 1988).

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