Tobacco Documents Online

0 HI: L AMD KNOWLTON. [wc . • .,.,,o..U..al, "O"M JU Cgnf~~~ti21;t~ ApMat ATTACMC:rr ~ PUDLIC RLUTIOxS RBoRT : S to the '• TD31lCC0 DfDVS2R7 RL3FJlRCH COhOQZTELNi 'ltnasd.y, D.camber 10, 1959 PLJ1lNTifF'S EXHLB(T •..... ~a ~.w•.a ~:- Zbe latter half of 1959 sav little chanse in the basic public rtlations problems of the Zbbuco Induatry 14search Cosmittee, aithough otu or tvo events threatened to tet the same sort of sensational attention that formerly pind aatlonvida public notice. Constant vigilance is still necessary to achieve soaM degree of balaaced treatment by the press vben the sensation-seeking attackers of tobacco are out for publicity. Conticuing; efforts to point out to the press the repetitive nature of rny public attacks against amakin` have had sow helpful results. In aoat cues, it is necessary to anticipate, recognize and prepare to aasver the attacks vhether or not statements are J ultiratel,jl issued. Comm.rt troa T= for the press remains an etfective vay to atet urti-tobacco pibli:itr efforts aad esphasises the Uultiple factors that should be considered. 2bis, of course, is complemented vith a continuing program of sL;y_ying information to give editors assd vriters a balaaced perspective on quescions of tobacco aad health. A brief discussion of some principal developments of the latter half of 1959 fouavs : 0 Report by Surgeon General P'aneZ Published in tha ltoveaber 28 issw of the Journal of the American 1{edical Association, the article situd by the Surgeon General present a s• ectioo of pu lish.d data about smking as related to lung cancer. Anticipating the appea:ance of the Buraey article s.nd learning its eontents in advance of publication, it vaa possible to provide the press pYOelptly vith statements froa Dr. C. C. Little, l4r. Jasses P. Richards, president of The Tobacco Inititute, aad others. Press stories used the tobacco indwtry comsat in covering tha aurgeoa 0enesal's article. As a follovup, a eomDrehensive letter vu sent by Dr. Little to Dr. Durney pointing out nae~y discrepancies in the article and its conclusions. No reply has yet been received. ROGERSc1ROo'?N2`' /bo CTR HN 026414

, I 2 ' Att. Aaerican Reart Association A atatement, dravn by a subcomittee on smoking and cardiovascular disease, vas discussed by the Board of Directors of the American geart Association on Saturday, December 5. Although an industry statement vas prepared in caae of publicity on this proposed action, the directors' meeting tabled the state.ment and no other action vaa taken. Auerbach Presentation at American Kedical Association Keetins Dr. Oscar Auerbach offered a paper on lung call changes in saokers at the December AMA C1Sntcal Meeting in Dallaa. Publicity on his paper vas handled by the American Cancer Society. A statement by Dr. Eockett vaa released simultaneously in DalLs s.nd Nw York. Additional press contact rae carried on by representatives in both cities, includina getting correction of an Associated Press story that bad reported endorsement of the Auerbach thesis by the A.M.A. Actions on Other Stories The American Collese of Chest PbTsicians in October adopted a statement on lung caacer that said further research is needed aad no agent or asents can be singled out aa a cause. This statement vaa called to the attention of the press aad vire services. Publication in July of a major British report shoving "striking negative results" from animala subjected to direct inhaLtion of tobacco smoke vu called to the attention of the U.S. press. Also, The Tobacco Institute placed advertisements, reproducing a nws story about this, in Tice, Nwsveek and U.S. Revs and World Report. Copies of a study published in LMlind by Dr. Geoffrey Dea.n of South Africa, saying air pol.lution seemed to be a dominant influence in lung cancer in South Africa, wre also dSstributed to vriters in this country vitn resultant press attention. The December 12 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association carried an editorial coasmenting on Dr. Burney's article. Trere are no • icient facts, the editorial said, to "varrant the assumption of an all-os•none authoritative position" regardins smokini as a causative factor in lung cancer. Wire services vare encouraged to carry stories through requests co=tag fros nev.papars in various parts of the country, and vide press attention resulted. Tobacco and Realth C To get reaction of doctors to Tobacco and Realth, nov put out by The Tobacco Institute, a postcard samplingo S, doctors vas completed in September. A relatively high return of the cards shoved that the respondents by about tvo to one felt that information in the publication is helpful, and they expressed a vish to continue to receive the publication. ROGERS cTR""-i" lbr CTR HIN 02841ED

0 a r Assistance to Editors Assistance throuah conaultation aad provision of informational rterial to ar.dical and science vrit•rs and maga:ine aad nevspaper edltors continued on an expanded baais during the latter part of 1959. Publications to vhoa.inforaation vas supplied include: Tim•, Nevrveek, U.S. 1(rvs and World R• , True, The Reader's Di est, R;Mk, pL&s a sw.ber ot leading nwspapers in various c t es, t press vU: sirrices, e,ad free-lance vriters. sooklet Distribution Tbe December issue'of Tobacco and H•alth offered copies of the booklet by Sir Ronald Tisher, the noted british scientist, on statistical reports concerning smoking e,aa lung cancer. ReQuests for the booklet have besn received fros physicia,ns, ..dical schools and medical libraries. By the end of December, raquests fillsd totaled aare thaa 100, and more ver• cosing in. A LooY Mead bos problems to be faced in 1960 aret '!be American Cancer_ Society. As approned by its board of directors late in Octo •r the s is stepping up its aati-aaokins camp.i", planaed primarily for local ccwunities and secondary schools, through state or local chapters. The ACS also proposes increased publicity among physicians and th• general public during 1960. U.S. Public Realth Service is kaova to be backing a study of lur,g cancer rates amor.d urban rur saakers. This is long-range. The Service is also sponsoring an aati•amking axbibit st scientific meetinas. American Public Realth Association. Adoption last fail of a resolu- tion by the /lmericaa b ic Healt /lssociation, callins upon public health authorities to join in aati-smokieK "education" campaigns, vill get some cooperation from agencies in some states and cities. C ) ROGERS C1Ron-225"A I 62 GTR HN 026416