Tobacco Makers Get Poor Marks in Survey

Numerous industries have earned the confidence of consumers despite low levels of faith in public and private sector leaders, but only one industry in a recent Harris poll has negative numbers: the tobacco industry. Fully 80% of those interviewed by telephone between Feb. 19 and 23 said medical doctors, telephone companies and computer companies do a good job of serving customers, according to a report released by Louis Harris & Associates. Seventy percent to 79% said the same about pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, banks and car manufacturers. Only one industry on the list, the tobacco industry, had negative marks “and this surely reflects . . . public hostility� because the industry sells tobacco, the pollster said.