Public and Social Policy Series

Wind Turbine Syndrome

by Simon Chapman and Fiona Crichton

Published 30 November 2017

As governments around the world look for ways to curb fossil fuel emissions, more and more countries are adopting renewable energy sources. Wind power is one of the cheapest sources of renewable energy, and windfarms are often looked to as a solution. While generally welcomed in rural communities, there have been claims that wind turbines are responsible for a range of health problems. At last count an astonishing 247 symptoms had been attributed to wind turbines, from back pain and accelerated ageing to herpes and multiple sclerosis. Repeated reviews of the scientific evidence have found no grounds for these claims, yet they have continued to spread in some communities. Wind turbine syndrome shows all the hallmarks of a 'communicated disease': that is, an illness that is spread by people talking and writing about it. In short: people are worrying themselves sick. In WIND TURBINE SYNDROME: A COMMUNICATED DISEASE, Simon Chapman and Fiona Crichton explore the claims and tactics of the anti-windfarm movement, examine the scientific evidence, and consider how best to respond to anti-windfarm arguments. "Simon Chapman has become a touchstone for everything the extreme right hates: arguments grounded in fact, a passion for a healthier planet, and sometimes just a dose of plain common sense. His writing is erudition and conviction combined. Read on!' Peter Garrett, Midnight Oil. This is an important and timely book. Wind power is an essential element of our response to climate change. This book shows that the spread of the technology has been slowed by misinformation, misunderstanding and barefaced lies. Everyone concerned about the need to slow climate change should read this book and use it to counter the dishonest campaign against renewable energy." -- Emeritus Professor Ian Lowe AO FTSE

Quit Smoking Weapons of Mass Distraction

by Simon Chapman

Published 26 June 2022

Who keeps telling smokers they can’t quit without help?

For decades there have been far more ex-smokers than smokers, and an estimated 75% of smokers quit without drugs or professional help.

But smoking cessation is a global phenomenon serviced by multibillion-dollar industries, including the pharmaceutical and e-cigarette sectors and health professionals. These industries try to denigrate unassisted cessation and promote their products and services – “weapons of mass distraction” – as essential to successful quitting.

This contributes to the medicalisation of a process that, before these products were available, had a natural history where drugs and expertise were absent, yet millions of people around the world still quit.

Simon Chapman AO is one of Australia’s foremost experts on strategies to minimise harm from tobacco. In Quit Smoking Weapons of Mass Distraction, he reviews the early history of quitting smoking and the rise of assisted quitting, and gives insight into the forces that have tried to undermine smokers’ agency to stop. Chapman also provides actionable policy solutions to help people actually quit smoking.

"This is a splendid read for anyone interested in what really works to reduce smoking, and what helps to keep Big Tobacco in business." — Mike Daube AO, Emeritus Professor in Public Health, Curtin University

"Chapman is indispensable reading for anyone wanting to help the billion-odd smokers end their addiction. A powerful and important book!" — Robert N. Proctor, Professor of the History of Science at Stanford University