FOREST, which describes itself as the "voice and friend of the smoker", is a United Kingdom political pressure group that campaigns for the right of people to smoke tobacco and opposes attempts to ban or reduce tobacco consumption, as well as casting doubt on medical claims of the health risks of smoking. According to Action on Smoking and Health , FOREST is funded almost entirely by the tobacco industry.

FOREST was founded in 1979 by former Air Chief Marshal Sir Christopher Foxley-Norris . The name FOREST is an acronym for "Freedom Organisation for the Right to Enjoy Smoking Tobacco".

According to the document "Minutes of the 11th Meeting of the Public Relations Sub-Committee of T.A.C. Held at Glen House, Stag Place, London, S.W.1. On Tuesday, 790508", at tobaccodocuments.org , members of the Public Relations sub-committee of the Tobacco Advisory Committee , the British tobacco industry trade association, were minuted as saying, prior to the creation of FOREST:

Mr. Knowles said that a recent conversation with Geoffrey Evans indicated that 'Forest' would now not be launched before mid-June. It as felt that, in view of some of the reservations expressed about this organisation by PR agencies, the delay would not be to our disadvantage.

Mr. Sanguinetti thought TAC should query the use of the name "Forest" in view of the unfortunate connotations that could be attached -- forest fires, backwoodsmen, etc. After discussion it was agreed that the Chairman should write to Sir Christopher Foxley Norris to let him know of our misgivings and propose a more straightforward title such as "Freedom to Smoke."

Members discussed how TAC and the Companies should respond to press enquiries following the organisation's launch. The Chairman said he thought TAC should reply that while they were aware of its existance Glen House had no connection with the new organisation and that enquiries should be directed to member companies. Mr. Mulholland proposed that his company should reply that Forest was an independent organisation, that it seemed a good idea for it to support smokers and that the company had provided financial support and nothing more.

External links

• FOREST website
• http://tobaccodocuments.org/profiles/forest.html
• http://www.ash.org.uk/html/press/000816.html