Patrick Reynolds' Biography
"Patrick Reynolds is one of the nation's most
influential advocates of a smokefree America"
according to former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop, who
has also called his testimony "invaluable to our
society." A grandson of the founder of the R.J.
Reynolds tobacco company, Mr. Reynolds testified in
Congress in favor of an end to all cigarette advertising,
and to help bring about the present six-hour smoking ban
on U.S. domestic flights. His appearances in the national
media and before Congress have made this grandson of
tobacco company magnate R.J. Reynolds a nationally known
and respected champion of a smokefree society.Since starting his campaign in 1986, he has spoken before numerous State and municipal legislatures in support of proposed smoking ordinances which became law. In 1988 in California he helped pass the 25 cent per pack State cigarette tax increase. Patrick Reynolds has approached several members of the U.S. Congress about the need to limit the export and advertising of U.S. tobacco brands abroad, and has lobbied for a new law banning cigarette sales to those under 21. In hundreds of television, radio and print interviews,
he has helped remind millions of people of the dangers of
smoking.
Mr. Reynolds saw his father, oldest brother, and other relatives die from cigarette induced emphysema and lung cancer. Concerned about the mounting health evidence against tobacco, he turned his back on his family's former tobacco business. In 1989 in Los Angeles, he founded The Foundation for a Smokefree America, a nonprofit, charitable organization whose mission is to help bring about a smoke free society. A frequent keynote speaker, Patrick Reynolds has addressed Congress, State legislatures, corporations, universities, associations, and medical conferences. Recently he has devoted a greater amount of his attention to educating youth about tobacco, and in 1998 he produced the educational video, Straight Talk About Tobacco. In 1988 the U.N.'s World Health Organization honored him with a special award. In 1989, Chicago's Mt. Sinai Hospital awarded Patrick Reynolds its Humanitarian of the Year award. In the same year, Little, Brown published a colorful family biography he co-authored, The Gilded Leaf. (The Gilded Leaf is now out of print, but can be found in many libraries and used book stores.)
E-mail: pr@tobaccofree.org
Contact: Glendene Wolf
Tel. 1 310 471-0303
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