This message is slightly off topic here but I've just been offered an industry-side position with one of the large tobacco manufacturers. My question is: would future employers hold this against you, especially in light of recent legislation and backlash against smoking?

No, some of the tobacco firms are known to be good employers. But the more important question is surely "Could you live with yourself?"The product your potential employers produces is universally acknowledged to kill thousands of people every year. Why would you want to work for them?

oh crabbit, oh bleeding heart.follow that logic through, and how can anybody who drvies a car sleep at night?

I see what you are saying and I have thought about it quite a bit. I personally detest smoking (although I used to) but on a professional level accept that people have a personal choice in the matter. The organisation and the role is exactly what I am after - guess I'll just need to put a bit more thought into it. Cheers guys!

If it is BAT I wouldn't personally take it. I know a number of guys who work there, and I have worked in the tobacco industry for a number of years as an external. The packages they offer are good, and they look after their people very well - good security with plenty of overseas opportunities if that drives you. BUT the organisation moves at a snails pace - extremely difficult to instigate and drive through operational improvements and change, partly driven by the fact that they feel they dont need to - theres still just too much cash in tabs. It frustrated the hell out of me, although if you want a more relaxed professional life, it might be a good option.

Well, I don't think you can compare the two. You can choose to drive safely. You can't choose to smoke safely. To return to the original topic, I'm a recruitment mgr for a consulting form, and I certainly wouldn't screen out someone who had worked for one of these firms. At the end of the day, the product is hideous, but legal. I do wonder about the prospects for that industry though. The market for cigarettes is falling in Europe and North America. However, I believe the tobacco companies are doing excellent work in getting the young people in Asia and Africa addicted to their little deathsticks, so maybe there is hope for these companies yet...?

I am in the know about the smoking industry and know that the companies are looking towards diversifying their product mix to attract new customers. The product is tomacco.(people who watch the Simpsons should get the joke.)

I work for one of top3 tobacco firms and my opinion is:+ well perceived in the industry (e.g. while changing the jobs within the industry)+ never really heard about being "punished" for tobacco. Recruiters go for skills and don't give a *** if you gained them in tobacco or farming (unless of course you have the skills they look for)+ well paid (better than industry on average as they compensate you controversial business)+ agree with Jimmy: great job security, not so much pressure (still a lot of money in the business and high margins), a lot of overseas possibilities+ if you see yourself in the senior executive role within the industry in some time then you can achieve this in the tobacco business quicker/easier than in other businesses. Tobacco companies have high staff retention and indeed care about their people.+ again, if you want to move to industry later in your career (what many MCs will do), you'll be in the privileged position as folks coming from the industry get mainly business development roles, which are not really important/prospective in the daily business (in the industry what counts is marketing, finance, legal for tobacco)– not as prestigious as IB or MC– IB/MC pays better (in terms of bonuses)– hard to move from industry into MC or IB– controversial business (I guess it can be an issue in the US)

I have a friend who works for one of the big producers. Some notes:They fear that they have an image problem and as such they pay well and give good perks, including lots of hospitality days in lovely corporate boxes swiging champagne.This is a business, this is not an illegal product.There are emerging markets, and good opportunities to work in them.