Talk:Jacob Sullum/Just the facts

Jacob Sullum is a journalist who serves as Managing Editor of "Reason" magazine. Sullum has also worked at "National Review."

Quotes
Regarding the Environmental Protection Agency's 1993 Risk Assessment on second-hand smoke:
 * "...one-sided, credulous and superficial,.... [Journalists] missed an important story about the corruption of science by the political crusade against smoking." 

Regarding accusations of tobacco company fraud:
 * "Yes, the industry's position on the hazards of smoking has been disingenuous and irresponsible. But does it amount to fraud?...What industry spokesmen said was not, by and large, literally false. Indeed, they carefully phrased their statements to avoid direct denial of tobacco's hazards.... The tobacco companies didn't fool anyone who didn't want to be fooled."

Regarding the health dangers of smoking tobacco:
 * "[S]moking is bad for you in the sense that it raises the risk of certain diseases and tends to shorten your life.... [Smoking might] also be good for you, in the sense that it provides pleasure, relieves stress, or offers some other benefit.... The refusal to acknowledge the benefits of smoking&mdash;to admit the possibility that anyone could rationally choose to smoke&mdash;illustrates the arrogance of insisting, 'You shouldn't smoke because it's bad for you.'"

Regarding tobacco company-funded research:
 * "[Scientists who] have qualms about the case against secondhand smoke...[and]...have the courage to speak up are apt to be sought out by tobacco companies as consultants and to attract research grants from them. If such funding is grounds for doubt, so is money from private organizations, such as the American Cancer Society, and government agencies, such as the California Department of Health, that are committed to achieving 'a smoke-free society.'"

Monetary links
The Reason Foundation, one of Sullum's employers, received at least $10,000 in donations from Philip Morris in 1993, and an unknown amount from Philip Morris subsidiary Kraft General Foods.

In 1994, Sullum was paid $5,000 by R.J. Reynolds to reprint a Wall Street Journal editorial he wrote about secondhand smoke.

In 1994, Sullum was paid $5,000 by Philip Morris to reprint one of his articles in a national ad campaign.

Snus advocacy
Sullum has been writing articles advocating the legalization of Swedish snus at least since 2004.

Alcohol advocacy
Sullum has been writing articles advocating the legalization of alcohol vaporizers at least since 2005.

Illegal drug advocacy
In 2004, Sullum wrote "Saying Yes: In Defense of Drug Use", a book advocating the legalization of all recreational drugs. He has also had dozens of articles and innumerable blog posts published also advocating an end to drug prohibition.