Tobacco Goes on Trial: Uses and Abuses of Ethics

Tobacco Goes On Trial presents the major issues surrounding the tobacco controversy in the form of elaborations on a fictional 12-minute newscast similar to Dateline or 20/20 which prefaces each of the six videos. Actors play all of the roles, including the newscasters, the U.S. Senator who is introducing a motion to ban tobacco products, the president of the largest tobacco company and other "man on the street" interviews in a slick newscast style. Part six, Uses and Abuses of Ethics, profiles a researcher for a tobacco company who has turned the tables on his former employees when it is discovered that his research regarding nicotine levels in cigarettes is jeopardizing company policy. The issues are presented with a fair amount of depth, realism and objectivity. This well-produced video seems a fair minded and stimulating method to get classroom students to formulate opinions about the tobacco controversy and to look at themselves as potential targets of cigarette manufacturers. Highly recommended. Aud: J, H, C. (R. Ray)