Reposted by Jason McLureThe Examination @theexamination.org · 06/10/2026Exxon, Total, Occidental and Diamondback tout efforts to end routine flaring, but their flames continue to burn around the world, a joint investigation by The Examination and Bloomberg News has found. Read more: examination.news/3VSWZHk 073
Jason McLure @jasonmclure.bsky.social · 24/09/2026When the Biden administration shelved its effort to ban menthol cigarettes, it cited the “immense amount” of public comments received. Turns out 97% of those were opposition form letters, according to a new Rutgers study. How spam shaped a policy that could have averted 650,000 deaths:theexamination.orgHow Big Tobacco flooded the FDA with public comments to kill a menthol banThe tobacco industry generated tens of thousands of opposition letters before the Biden administration backed away from the proposal, a new study found. 132
Jason McLure @jasonmclure.bsky.social · 31/07/2026Wide awake and wasted? It’s no accident there are a bunch of studies saying mixing energy drinks and booze is harmless. Red Bull paid for many of them: www.theexamination.org/articles/red...theexamination.orgIs it safe to drink Red Bull and vodka? Dubious research tied to the company has shaped energy drink policy.The company paid scientists whose studies largely found that mixing energy drinks and alcohol isn’t harmful, contrary to most research. 010
Jason McLure @jasonmclure.bsky.social · 01/07/2026From fighting restrictions on vapes to greenwashing, American Chambers of Commerce have proven reliable allies of the tobacco industry overseas: www.theexamination.org/articles/ame...theexamination.orgHow the global network of America’s largest business lobby opens doors for tobacco companiesAmerican Chambers of Commerce opposed a vaping ban in Bulgaria, praised a cigarette factory in Serbia and hosted tobacco executives and government officials in Ukraine. 020
Jason McLure @jasonmclure.bsky.social · 26/05/2026e.vnexpress.net/news/news/vi...e.vnexpress.netVietnam proposes lifetime tobacco ban for anyone born from 2010 - VnExpress InternationalVietnam's Health Ministry has proposed banning people born from Jan. 1, 2010 from buying or using tobacco, advancing the country toward a U.K.-style "smoke-free generation." 020
Jason McLure @jasonmclure.bsky.social · 15/05/2026For years, Marlboro-maker Philip Morris International has been telling regulators and health officials they want to end smoking. I wonder how they managed to still sell more than 600 billion cigarettes last year? www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhtX...youtube.comIklan Rokok Marlboro Filter Black - Journey (I Am) (2025)YouTube video by Billboard & Iklan Indonesia Channel 020
Reposted by Jason McLureThe Examination @theexamination.org · 11/05/2026To tackle its obesity crisis, Chile added warning labels on foods high in sugar. Sales of these items fell — but there was an unintended consequence: a boom in non-sugar sweeteners as companies reformulated their products to avoid the labels. Read more: examination.news/4w6QIp8 046
Jason McLure @jasonmclure.bsky.social · 05/05/2026How profits from a state-owned company keep China smoking - @theexamination.org 's first collaboration with YouTube documentary-maker fern: www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqCk...youtube.comThe World's Deadliest CompanyYouTube video by fern 020
Jason McLure @jasonmclure.bsky.social · 05/05/2026How profits from a state-owned company keep China smoking. @theexamination.org 's first collaboration with YouTube documentary-maker fern: www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqCk...youtube.comThe World's Deadliest CompanyYouTube video by fern 020
Jason McLure @jasonmclure.bsky.social · 04/05/2026What's the deadliest company in the world? We crunched so many numbers we had to write a separate article explaining how we did it. www.theexamination.org/articles/dea...theexamination.orgWe figured out the deadliest company in the world. You’ve probably never heard of it.China Tobacco’s products have likely caused at least 57 million deaths since 1990. No other company comes close, our analysis shows. 020
Jason McLure @jasonmclure.bsky.social · 16/04/2026Outlawing cigarette and vape sales may seem like some radical public health fantasy. But in Massachusetts 22 towns have already passed a 'generational ban' on nicotine products and advocates say statewide passage is on the horizon. www.theexamination.org/articles/mas...theexamination.orgThe Massachusetts activist fighting to ban nicotine for generations to comeA 78-year-old corporate finance veteran has helped pass nicotine bans in towns across Massachusetts. A state law could be next. 020
Jason McLure @jasonmclure.bsky.social · 19/03/2026www.timesunion.com/news/world/a...timesunion.comMichael Bambang Hartono, tobacco tycoon and Indonesia's richest man, dies at 86Indonesia’s richest man, Michael Bambang Hartono, has died at the age of 86. Hartono, along with his brother, helped turn the Djarum cigarette company into one of the country’s largest business... 020
Jason McLure @jasonmclure.bsky.social · 11/12/2025Tobacco giant Philip Morris International wanted help overturning restrictions on its products in Asia and Latin America. It sought help in Brussels: www.theexamination.org/articles/eu-...theexamination.orgEU officials acted to aid tobacco giant abroad, documents showThe EU’s actions were a “great help,” Philip Morris International said in an email. 020
Jason McLure @jasonmclure.bsky.social · 10/12/2025www.theexamination.org/articles/eu-...theexamination.orgEU officials acted to aid tobacco giant abroad, documents showThe EU’s actions were a “great help,” Philip Morris International said in an email. 020
Jason McLure @jasonmclure.bsky.social · 25/11/2025The Auto Industry Was Warned: Battery Recycling Was Poisoning People www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/w...nytimes.comThe Auto Industry Was Warned: Battery Recycling Was Poisoning People 020
Reposted by Jason McLureThe Examination @theexamination.org · 20/11/202570% of residents we tested in Ogijo, Nigeria, had harmful levels of lead in their blood. Our field tests in Africa’s battery recycling capital reveal the human costs of a murky supply chain. www.theexamination.org/articles/aut...theexamination.orgHow we linked the auto industry to lead poisoning in NigeriaBlood and soil testing confirmed the health consequences. Then we tracked individual shipments to the United States. 065
Reposted by Jason McLureSasha Chavkin @sashachavkin.bsky.social · 27/10/2025Lord Strathcarron, a UK lawmaker who tried to block an anti-tobacco bill, discussed the legislation with a family member who is “very high up” at British American Tobacco Extremely British tobacco machinations uncovered by @mattchapman.bsky.socialtheexamination.orgLawmaker with family ties to British American Tobacco attempts to stop UK smoking banLord Strathcarron didn’t publicly disclose his family connection even as he adopted the tobacco giant’s position on a “smoke-free generation” bill. 041
Reposted by Jason McLureSasha Chavkin @sashachavkin.bsky.social · 22/10/2025Governments in 21 countries have sued the tobacco industry for the health costs of smoking - and only two have seen any money New story from @maria-perez.bsky.social breaks down how the tobacco industry has avoided paying uptheexamination.orgwhy-most-countries-never-got-a-tobacco-settlementGovernments in the U.S. and Canada went to court and got tobacco companies to pay for smoking-related diseases. Many other lawsuits have failed. 153
Reposted by Jason McLureThe Examination @theexamination.org · 22/10/2025More than 20 years ago, U.S. states reached landmark settlements with tobacco companies over the costs of treating smoking-related diseases. Since then, courts worldwide have often rejected similar lawsuits. Here’s why: www.theexamination.org/articles/why...theexamination.orgSmoking costs countries billions in health care. Just two have forced tobacco companies to pay up.Governments in the U.S. and Canada went to court and got tobacco companies to pay for smoking-related diseases. Many other lawsuits have failed. 021
Reposted by Jason McLureSasha Chavkin @sashachavkin.bsky.social · 15/10/2025California's crackdown on ultraprocessed foods in schools borrows from several countries Like Brazil, it singles out UPFs. But like Chile, Mexico & others, it focuses on cutting out junk foods rather than reducing processing overall My analysis for @theexamination.org newslettermailchi.mpCalifornia becomes first U.S state to regulate ultra-processed foods in schoolsCalifornia bans some ultra-processed foods in school meals. Plus, global health updates from across our beats. 041
Jason McLure @jasonmclure.bsky.social · 18/09/2025Nicotine pouches like Zyn and ALP don't mix well with kids. Exposure cases from pouches reported to U.S. Poison Centers more than tripled between 2022 and 2024. This year cases are up 92% through August. Kids under 6 were more than 70% of the exposures. poisoncenters.org/news-alerts/...poisoncenters.orgAmerica's Poison Centers - Health Advisory: Increase in Nicotine Pouch-Related Cases Reported to U.S. Poison Centers 020
Jason McLure @jasonmclure.bsky.social · 18/09/2025Companies like Outlaw Dip sell oral pouches made with a chemical remarkably similar to nicotine. "Don't be a quitter, be an outlaw," it says. "These products were intentionally designed to bypass regulation," says one cancer researcher. www.theexamination.org/articles/nic...theexamination.org‘Nicotine-free’ vapes and pouches promise a buzz without the downsides. Health concerns remain.Outlaw Dip, Spree Bar and other nicotine alternatives aren’t regulated in many countries. Researchers warn about health risks and misleading marketing. 020
Reposted by Jason McLureThe Examination @theexamination.org · 12/09/2025Spots are filling up for our pre-conference #GIJC25 event! Join us for a packed day of discussions, workshops, and networking with investigative health reporters from across the world. You won't want to miss out. 🚨 More info and how to register: gijc2025.org/pre-conferen...gijc2025.orgPre-Conference Day EventsBefore the 2025 Global Investigative Journalism Conference officially kicks off, GIJC25 will host a focused day of high-impact workshops and special gatherings led by top investigative journalists and... 021
Jason McLure @jasonmclure.bsky.social · 04/09/2025Companies partly or wholly owned by a government make most of the world's cigarettes. Our look at what this means for public health: www.youtube.com/shorts/KUNQH...youtube.comThe public-health dilemma of state-owned tobacco companiesYouTube video by The Examination 020
Jason McLure @jasonmclure.bsky.social · 28/08/2025Many governments want people to quit smoking. Some also want them to buy cigarettes. More on the thorny issues raised by state-ownership of tobacco companies: www.theexamination.org/articles/whe...theexamination.orgWhen governments own tobacco companies, who watches out for your health?At least 17 countries have a stake in the tobacco industry, making them responsible for a product that is a leading cause of preventable death. 020
Jason McLure @jasonmclure.bsky.social · 02/07/2025Thanks to @radiofreeasiapr.bsky.social for showcasing @theexamination.org investigation showing in-law of ex-Lao leader Bounnhang Vorachit earned $28 million from Laos tobacco privatization. Interview (Lao subtitles): www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjW1... Docs: www.documentcloud.org/projects/221...youtube.comHow Imperial Brands’ Laos Deal Paid Politician’s Relative and Capped Cigarette TaxesYouTube video by The Examination 021
Jason McLure @jasonmclure.bsky.social · 26/06/2025A deal between Imperial Brands and the Laos government capped cigarette taxes for 25 years AND paid millions to a family member of the country's then-prime minister. Read the story: www.theexamination.org/articles/how... View the documents: www.documentcloud.org/projects/221...documentcloud.orgImperial Brands / Laos TobaccoDocuments obtained as part of an investigation of a 25-year contract between Imperial Brands and the government of Laos that capped cigarette taxes and paid millions to an in-law of the prime minister... 020
Reposted by Jason McLurePulitzer Center @pulitzercenter.org · 19/06/2025A secret deal by tobacco giant Imperial Brands delivered millions to an in-law of Laos's former president for a 25-year tax freeze. This arrangement has kept cigarette prices among the world's lowest. Story by grantee @jasonmclure.bsky.social for @theexamination.org. bit.ly/40ad76Apulitzercenter.orgHow Imperial Brands’ Confidential Contract Kept Cigarette Prices Low in Laos — While Secretly Enriching a Political InsiderThe deal delivered millions to an in-law of the former president, Bounnhang Vorachit, while blocking tobacco tax hikes for 25 years. A confidential contract between tobacco giant Imperial Brands and..... 052
Jason McLure @jasonmclure.bsky.social · 17/06/2025A tobacco giant took over a state monopoly in Asia. Cigarette taxes got capped at one of the lowest levels in the world. An ex-president’s relative secretly got millions. Our latest: www.theexamination.org/articles/how...theexamination.orgImperial Brands' confidential deal with Lao government — low cigarette prices and enriched insidersThe deal delivered millions to an in-law of the former president, Bounnhang Vorachit, while blocking tobacco tax hikes for 25 years. 051
Reposted by Jason McLureSasha Chavkin @sashachavkin.bsky.social · 05/06/2025We're hiring! @theexamination.org is growing and looking to fill three crucial editor roles: - Interim Managing Editor - Data Editor - News Editor Making this a thread because these are great opportunities... www.theexamination.org/about/jobstheexamination.orgJobsWe investigate corporate behavior that threatens the health of communities around the world. See our reporting on tobacco, food, polluters and more. 122
Reposted by Jason McLureSasha Chavkin @sashachavkin.bsky.social · 02/06/2025Phillip Morris + a British lord + a trip to Switzerland = a new proposal to water down the UK's anti-smoking law My colleague's @theexamination.org scoop this weekend, in partnership with @theguardian.com 👇 032
Reposted by Jason McLureThe Examination @theexamination.org · 21/05/2025The Philippines is chairing the World Health Assembly for the first time – but public health organizations are calling on @who.int to revoke its role over ties between Filipino officials and tobacco giant Phillip Morris International. #WHA78 🧵 www.theexamination.org/articles/how...theexamination.orgHow industry capture of Filipino officials helped deadlock global tobacco control negotiationsA presidential agenda, pro-industry proposals and a probe — documents reveal Big Tobacco’s influence in the Philippines and on the international stage. 134
Reposted by Jason McLureThe Examination @theexamination.org · 15/04/2025Our new investigation with @nytimes.com shows how – by intertwining science and salesmanship – one researcher has fueled misleading claims about the health benefits of maple syrup, with the help of industry funding. www.theexamination.org/articles/a-s...theexamination.orgA scientist is paid to study maple syrup. He’s also paid to promote it.Funded by the maple industry, a researcher has exaggerated his findings to suggest that syrup could help prevent serious diseases. 032
Jason McLure @jasonmclure.bsky.social · 21/03/2025New study contradicts claims vaping is displacing teen cigarette use. theconversation.com/the-tobacco-...theconversation.comThe tobacco lobby claims vaping is displacing youth smoking – a close look at the evidence tells another storyA 2020 study is frequently cited as evidence that vaping reduces youth smoking rates. But the research is flawed. Vaping might be a gateway for teens to start smoking. 220
Jason McLure @jasonmclure.bsky.social · 20/03/2025Opioids alert! Prescriptions for tapentadol have surpassed those for oxycodone. Yet drug company Grünenthal and others have made misleading claims about its addictiveness - echoing a strategy that Purdue Pharma and other opioid makers used to hook millions. www.theexamination.org/articles/gru...theexamination.orgGrünenthal pushed its latest opioid as a safer option. People around the world got hooked.Fueled by misleading marketing claims, the German drugmaker’s painkiller tapentadol is on the rise. 021
Reposted by Jason McLureKara Swisher @karaswisher.bsky.social · 18/03/2025Well that’s a headline I did not except to see. Ever. 2128395436292
Reposted by Jason McLureSasha Chavkin @sashachavkin.bsky.social · 17/03/2025NEW: FDA food safety scientists stopped clams contaminated with PFAS from entering America. Then they were fired by DOGE. Our latest story reveals how FDA cutbacks are endangering America’s food safety www.theexamination.org/articles/tru...theexamination.orgTrump administration cuts threaten already-strained food safety systemExperts say the FDA’s watchdog for America’s food supply is uniquely vulnerable to ongoing federal cutbacks – which could make the system even more reliant on companies policing themselves. 157
Reposted by Jason McLureSasha Chavkin @sashachavkin.bsky.social · 04/03/2025NEW: The fossil fuel industry and its allies are seeking to roll back workers’ freedom to choose socially conscious "ESG" retirement plans Trump's Energy Secretary Chris Wright has played a key role For @theexamination.org & @gristnews.bsky.social www.theexamination.org/articles/tru...theexamination.orgTrump’s energy secretary pushed legal attack on green investingFormer fracking company CEO Chris Wright played a key role in efforts to roll back workers’ choices in socially conscious ESG investing. 034
Jason McLure @jasonmclure.bsky.social · 28/02/2025Overwhelmed federal agency regulating America's deadliest consumer products loses 8% of staff after DOGE: www.theexamination.org/articles/mas...theexamination.orgMass firings hit US tobacco regulators overwhelmed with thousands of new productsThe FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products, which is not taxpayer-funded, oversees an industry whose products kill nearly half a million Americans each year. 020
Reposted by Jason McLureSasha Chavkin @sashachavkin.bsky.social · 14/02/2025Do you have $$ in a retirement plan that considers ESG, and want to talk about why it matters to you? I'm a reporter working on a story about legal attacks on ESG investing, and would love to hear from you. Reply and I'll be in touch, and share to help spread the word #climate #climatesolutions 023
Reposted by Jason McLureThe Examination @theexamination.org · 10/02/2025Join @sashachavkin.bsky.social on Feb. 11 at 4:00pmGMT for the @pulitzercenter.bsky.social webinar, "How To Investigate Green Finance." What To Expect: 🟢 Practical techniques for analyzing financial records 🟢 Tips for using open-source intelligence in reporting & more❕ 👉 Register: bit.ly/3CvRiG9 💡bit.lyHow To Investigate Green FinanceJoin investigative journalists Bruna Bronoski, Alexander Abdelilah, and Sasha Chavkin for an in-depth discussion on investigating "green finance" schemes. Hosted by the Pulitzer Center, this event wil... 131
Reposted by Jason McLureSasha Chavkin @sashachavkin.bsky.social · 15/01/2025Excited to share a new investigation... Banks have poured $286 billion in a lax form of green loans into polluting industries like fossil fuels and mining. With the Toronto Star & Mississippi Today, published with AP & supported by Pulitzer Center www.theexamination.org/articles/how...theexamination.orgHow mega-polluters take advantage of billions in green loansBanks poured $286 billion into corporations linked to deforestation and polluting industries like fossil fuels and mining through a lax type of green finance called sustainability-linked loans. 1147
Jason McLure @jasonmclure.bsky.social · 13/12/2024Can't say enough good things about this reporting: www.wsj.com/world/russia...wsj.comTracking Putin’s Most Feared Secret Agency—From Inside a Russian Prison and BeyondThe spy unit that arrested a Wall Street Journal reporter is leading the biggest campaign of internal repression since the Stalin era. 030
Jason McLure @jasonmclure.bsky.social · 11/12/2024www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/ch...channelnewsasia.comChina moves to ban ‘cigarette cards’ among minorsThe craze has sparked concern by authorities who say exposure to tobacco products could "familiarise children with cigarette brands and create a positive association with smoking". 020
Jason McLure @jasonmclure.bsky.social · 02/12/2024'Like smoking gum.' Fruit-flavored 'click' cigarettes a hit with teens in Latin America: elpais.com/america/2024...elpais.comLos cigarrillos de sabores frutales, prohibidos en Europa y Estados Unidos, triunfan entre los adolescentes de América Latina‘Marlboros’ de sandía y ‘Luckies’ de arándano y mentol: a pesar de las promesas de un mundo sin humo, las tabacaleras siguen promoviendo en la región este tipo de productos que cautivan a los más jóve... 040
Jason McLure @jasonmclure.bsky.social · 22/11/2024"It's like smoking chewing gum." 'Click' cigarettes w/flavors like watermelon and blueberry have rocketed in popularity in Latin America. @mariajpsl went to Chile to see if the industry's vows not to target children are real. www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLB4...youtube.comFlavored cigarettes in Latin America: ‘It’s like smoking gum'YouTube video by The Examination 020