Lawmakers Address Fashion Magazine Publishers and Editors

In June 2007, Members of Congress, led by Rep. Lois Capps (D-CA), wrote to the editors of various fashion magazines, asking them to refuse publishing cigarette advertisements because of their impact on the nation's health.

Doing so would "send an unequivocal message to tobacco companies" and be consistent with those magazines' "long tradition of promoting women's health," according to the letter, which was signed by 41 lawmakers from both parties.

Read the full text of the letter the Members of Congress sent to Anna Wintour, the editor-in-chief of Vogue magazine. (PDF, 309 KB)

The magazines respond

Vogue's publisher responded to Rep. Capps encouraging her to "pass legislation befitting the serious health issues brought about by the extended use of tobacco products" while rejecting the request of the 41 Members of Congress that Vogue no longer accept tobacco advertising.

Read the full text of Vogue's response to Rep. Capp's letter. (PDF, 62 KB)

Glamour's editor-in-chief cited major feature articles the magazine had published about the risks smoking poses to women, but also declined the chance to turn down tobacco advertising.

Read the full text of Glamour's response to Rep. Capp's letter. (PDF, 102 KB)

 

Read how we should respond to this important women's public health issue.