AllMovie

This documentary, part of the 20th Century With Mike Wallace series from CBS News and the History Channel, delves into the hidden world of cigarettes, nicotine, and the addiction of smoking. Narrated by series host and CBS News correspondent Mike Wallace, this episode begins with a history of tobacco in America, from its first appearance here over 400 years ago to the present-day warnings of the Surgeon General and tremendous health concerns. Tobacco companies have continuously denied the addictive effects of cigarettes, even into the mid-'90s when everyone was well aware of the risks of firsthand and secondhand cigarette smoke. 20th Century With Mike Wallace features interviews with governmental officials and tobacco executives who offer their take on this hazardous concern. Some hidden governmental secrets about the dangers of smoking are also revealed.