Tobacco Stories

At the heart of broadcast journalism is the rare investigative report which results in swift corrective action. National Public Radio’s investigation of tobacco manufacturing and use in the United States achieved that important goal. In April 1994, led by executive producer Anne Gudenkauf and producers Peggy Girshman and Rob Stein, NPR released the names of 13 potentially toxic chemicals used in the manufacture of cigarettes. The initial report and numerous follow-up stories reported by Richard Harris, Rebecca Perl, Eric Weiner, Daniel Zwerdling and Ira Glass prompted the tobacco industry to release for the first time the full list of chemical additives used in cigarette production. Congressional hearings and investigations by the Food and Drug Administration followed. For informing the public of previously unknown dangers of tobacco, for inspiring government investigations, and for reminding us what courageous investigative reporting is all about, a Peabody to National Public Radio for Tobacco Stories.