The American Thoracic Society has long-standing policies that prohibit involvement of the Society and its activities with the tobacco industry in light of the fact that the inhalation and oral use of tobacco products and byproducts has been proven to cause and/or aggravate a wide spectrum of diseases and conditions. Highlights of these policies include that the ATS will not: accept for its journals any research that has been funded by tobacco entities; accept for its journals any research submitted by an author that has a relationship with a tobacco entity; will not accept for its conferences any research that has been funded by tobacco entities; will not accept as a planner or oral presenter for its conferences, or as a Society leader, anyone who has a current relationship with a tobacco entity. In addition, the ATS calls upon its members and non-members who participate in ATS activities not to accept relationships with tobacco entities, and requires disclosure of present or past relationships with tobacco entities.
Also note: current ATS policies regarding involvement of the Society and its members, and others participating in official ATS activities, with the vaping industry (manufacturers and promoters of e-cigarettes and other nicotine delivery devices) and the cannabis industry (manufacturers and promoters of cannabis products) are also noted in the full policy available below.