John Oliver has gotten under the tobacco industry’s (prematurely aging) skin.
The host of “Last Week Tonight” got some feedback on Monday from one of the industry’s giants, Philip Morris International, for his latest episode slamming tobacco companies.
In his monologue shaming the industry on Sunday, Oliver pointed out tobacco companies’ tendency to sue small, poor nations such as Togo over health regulations, clearing the way for business.
Oliver pointed the finger of Philip Morris in particular, which he noted continues to scoop up profits free of regulations, in part by hawking their brands to school children in Indonesia.
In a lengthy statement to the Los Angeles Times, Philip Morris tried to laugh off Oliver’s segment as “parody,” but went on to provide what it described as “a balanced view and facts on the many topics raised by the program.”
“While we recognize the tobacco industry is an easy target for comedians, we take seriously the responsibility that comes with selling a product that is an adult choice and is harmful to health,” the company’s statement said.
Philip Morris then provided a series of links to its own website rebutting the critique on Oliver’s show. The company did not address Oliver’s suggestion for a new Marlboro mascot, “Jeff the Diseased Lung in a Cowboy Hat.”
Watch the Oliver segment, courtesy of HBO:
