Philip Hilts’s Smoke Screen (Addison Wesley, $22, ISBN 0 201 48836 1)
tells the almost incredible story of the fightback by American tobacco companies
after the public had become convinced that cigarettes were truly, as in British
slang, “coffin nails”. Hilts writes fiercely about such cynicism, in a rage that
any reader will feel, too, especially over the excerpts of evidence from
Congressional and courtroom hearings. The recipe now being worked out for a safe
cigarette is enough to make you laugh—or cry.
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Mind
The relationship recession is even bigger for Gen Z than we thought
News
Technology
Killer robots are here – we must finally decide whether to accept them
Leader
Technology
Quantum computer quickly mines cryptocurrency while using less energy
News
Mind
How to sparkle in conversation with strangers
Comment
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles
1
Fully autonomous drones have killed human soldiers for the first time
2
Understanding anorexia’s grip on the brain could unlock new therapies
3
The relationship recession is even bigger for Gen Z than we thought
4
Why we should all take quantum physics extremely personally
5
Toy universe shows that time could be a quantum illusion
6
Mysterious ‘cold blob’ in the Atlantic suggests the AMOC is weakening
7
New Scientist recommends a brilliant take on the evolution of birds
8
What is a ‘normal’ memory slowdown, and when should I worry?
9
First working nuclear clock heralds a new era in timekeeping
10
Hundreds of new moons are revealing our solar system's violent history
