Doubt is our product.

How do we know if X causes Y? "The Cigarette Century: Tobacco and Lung Cancer, 1964-1965" explores this question in the context of the congressional debates surrounding tobacco and lung cancer after the publication of the 1964 Surgeon General's Report. Players take on the role of senators, bureacrats, scientists, media representative, and tobacco executives as they seek to interpret the existing body of evidence to inform regulatory policy decisions. The flexible format of the game allows instructors to play the game in statistical and data analysis courses, covering topics including experimental design, data visualization, and measures of risk; as well as well as interdisciplinary and introductory courses exploring topics such as public-facing science, statistical literacy, public policy, and disinformation.

Class Time  

"Cigarette Century" includes 4 total game sessions (including set-up and debrief) plus 3 optional labs to include more technical statistical content.

Possible Reacting Game Pairings
This game can be used on its own, or with other games. These pairings are meant to be illustrative rather than exhaustive or prescriptive. One might pair this with The Trial of Galileo, Charles Darwin, or Food Fight. 

Assignments
You can adjust the assignments based on the desired learning outcomes of your class. "Cigarette Century" includes Traditional Paper/Research/Thesis-Driven Writing, Scientific Writing, and Journalism.

Students will need access to computers, especially to access the online applets during labs.

Class Size and Scalability 
This game is recommended for classes with 6-29 students.

This game is optimally played with at least 10 roles to include representation from all 5 factions in the game, however it can be scaled down to as few as 6.

In games with less than 10 players, Senate hearings can include testimony from Surgeon General Luther Terry, FTC Chairman Paul Rand Dixon, and tobacco representative Earle Clements rather than from representative of the Scientist faction. Brief written reports can be read in from members of the Scientist faction can be read in for variety.

In games with between 10 and 29 players, session lengths can be adjusted by tuning the allotted time for game member testimony before Congress, anywhere between 1 and 5 minutes per speech. In games with more than 29 players, the gamemaster can double up on roles depending on the emphasis of the game.

For games focusing on the statistics and science aspects, double up on Scientists. For games focusing on public-facing science and disinformation, double on roles in the Industry and Media factions.