Tobacco industry involvement in the development of a “think tank” institution in Central America : final progress report

The paper describes tobacco industry involvement in research in Central America, specifically in El Salvador, that interferes with or hinders tobacco control. Research from the Salvadoran Foundation for Economic Development (FUSADES) laboratory in particular should be carefully interpreted given the support that this laboratory receives from Philip Morris. FUSADES’ well-recognized laboratory could likely generate air quality data that minimizes the relevance of secondhand smoke as a pollutant. Results of this study have had immediate impact in raising awareness about tobacco industry involvement in research in the region, including topics regarding conflict of interest and physicians