WASHINGTON — In a significant revelation, two professors from New York University have been found to collaborate directly with executives from the vaping company Juul without properly disclosing these relationships. This lack of transparency occurred both in academic publications and during testimonies before Congress, according to an investigation by STAT.
At a time when the youth vaping crisis was peaking and public health experts demanded stringent measures to regulate the industry, David Abrams and Ray Niaura stood out as vocal proponents of vaping. They advocated for its utility in helping adults reduce or quit smoking despite concerns about its rising popularity among younger demographics.
Undisclosed Collaborations with Juul
- Direct Coordination for Public Messaging: In 2017 and 2018, Abrams was significantly involved with Juul, seeking advice for public communications, soliciting talking points from the company, and even allowing Juul executives to preview and suggest revisions to his academic papers before they were published.
- Participation in Corporate Meetings: Further involvement included Abrams attending meetings of Juul’s scientific advisory board, actions that he did not disclose to academic journal editors or the broader public.
These undisclosed interactions raise serious questions about the potential conflicts of interest and the impact these might have on public health messaging and policy recommendations concerning vaping.
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