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Council for Tobacco Research

Confidential Attachment #1 Statement by the Chairman [Review of Public Relations Responses to Reports on Smoking and Health]

Date: 09 Oct 1956
Length: 7 pages
HT0145214-HT0145220
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Type
REPORT
Master ID
Ht0145211-5237
Related Documents:
Request
132
Depository Date
30 Apr 1996
Named Person
Cornell Univ Medical College School, O.F. Medi
Aha
Nci
Campbell Johnson
Scripps Howard Newspaper Alliance
World Telegram
Ny Times
Ny Herald Tribune
Nejm
J, O.F. Investigative Dermatology
British Ministry, O.F. Health
Life Magazine
Tirc Exec Comm
Tobacco Manufacturers Standing Comm
Public Inst, O.F. Health
Auerbach
Bing, R.J., W.A. Univ
Bock, Roswell Park Memorial Cancer Inst
Cattell, M., Sab
Comroe, Sab
Cooper
Darrow, R., H.&K
Davies, D., Acs
Dorn, H.F., Nih
Dyer, R.E., Emory Univ
Gruber, L., Lorillard
Haag, H.B., Medical College, O.F. Va
Halley, Tirc
Hammond, C., Acs
Hill, J., H.&K
Hockett, Tirc
Horn, Acs
Hueper
Knight
Kosak, A.I., N.Y. Univ Post Graduate Medical School
Lilienfeld, A., Univ Buffalo
Little, Roscoe, B. Jackson Memorial Laboratories
Luce, H., Time Life
Maxwell, A., Tmsc
Middleton, V.A.
Mund, Roswell Park Memorial Cancer Inst
Nelson, N., N.Y. Univ Bellevue Medical Center
Reimann
Runyon, M.R., Acs
Shimkin, M., Nih
Shubik, P., Chicago Medical College Medical School
Strong, F., Univ, W.I.
Todd, G.F., Imperial Tobacco
Wallace, D., Readers Digest
Wright, G., Univ Toronto
Wynder
Author
Tirc
Box
148
UCSF Legacy ID
xyo10a00

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r 1 Tonacco InvusrRr R$srsncH Con3nrrr.E r:T_0 i45214 CONFIDENTIAL ARTACHMEN'r #1 STATEMENT BY TRE CEAIRMAN October 9, 1956 1. New Member and Treasurer I would like to welcome Mr. Lewis Gruber who is with us today as the new member of the Tobacco Industry Research Committee representing the P. Lorillard Company. You are all aware that Mr. Gruber has succeeded Mr. Halley as president of that Company. Mr. Gruber has graciously consented to serve as Treasurer of TIRC, which office had been held by his predecessor, Mr. Halley. I will entertain a motion for his election. 2. Executive Committee Meeting Your Chairman, Executive Secretary, Dr. Little and Messrs. Hill and Darrow of Hill and Knowlton, Inc., met with the Executive Committee on June 21st, in the absence of a formal meeting of the TIAC. We discussed the problem of meeting the exceptionally heavy monetary demands in 1956 and 1957 caused by renewals of research grants which are at a peak in those tvo years. As a result, a supplementary appropriation of $200,000, to be applied against grants during these two years, was voted. These funds will be derived by payment of an extra one-eighth of a cent per thousand cigarettes for tbe second six months of 1956. This was the only action taken at the Executive Committee cneeting. Other informational matters taken up at that time vill be covered during today's meeting. A motion is in order giving full Committee approval to this supple- mentary appropriation. ~. Approval of Grants Since the last Committee meeting, the Scientific Advisory Board bas approved a number of new and renewed research projects. Formal Comittee approval should be voted for appropriating funds for these grants. I will ask the Executive Secretary to tell us the amounts involved, and then ask for a sotion to formalise these grants.
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h1-1+1 0 d:,";15 Att. #1 -2• I 4. Dr. Little's Retirement from •7ackson Memorial Lt;boratory As I am sure you all know, Dr. Little has been elected Director FSOeritaa of Roscoe B. Jackson Memorial Laboratory. Although retiring from the presidency and from active direction of Laboratory activities, be will continue to bave certain responsibilities in connection with Jackson Laboratory. However, Dr. Little tells me that in the near future he vill be able to spend an increasing amount of time in his off:ces here. I must say that Dr. Lit' .le has always been available whenever we needed him, but we are lookin.g forward to having him closer at hand more frequently for his advice and canssltation. 5. Dr. Cattell's Aew Aasocia+ion Dr. McKeen Catzell, wno ia a valued menl:Pr of the Sc'entific Advisory Board and who is affiliated with the CcrnEll University Medical College, has taken a year's leave of absence to serve as the Administrator of Grants for Fellowships and T,evelops:ent of Scientific Personnel at the American Cancer Society. When I,r. Cattell originally considered this post there was some question of his remaining as a member of the Board. This was discussed with the authorities at the American Cancer Society sai with your Chairman, the Scientific :drector and Executive Secreta;~y. The conclusion vas that Dr. Cattell Would contir.ue to serve as a member of tbe Scientific Advisory Board, and the additional liaison which -,rill result from this new responsi- bility should be mutually worthwhile. 6. Joint S+.ui,y Gr^up on Tobaccc+ and Healt•h A Joint Study Group dealing with tobacco and bealtb has been formed by the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association and the National Cancer Institute. A meeting was held on August 11-12 at Woods Hole, Massachusetts. The bas'_c members of this gro•sp are: R. J. Bing, Washington University Dean Davies, American Cancer Society R. Eugene Dyer, Fmory L'niversity Alvin I. Koesk, Post-Graduate Me:1ical School, New York University Abe Lilie:rfeid, University of Buffalo, Roswell Park Memorial Inst. Norton Nelson, New York University-Bellevue Medical Center Michael Shimkin, Natior.al Institutes of Health Frank Strong, University oP Wisconsin George Wrigbt, University of Toronto At formal meetings of this Group various other scientists will be invited to discuss specific subjects. At the August 11-12 mPeting, for Instance, Dr. S. B. Haag of the Medical College of Virginia and Dr. Philippe Shubik of Chicago Medical School were present.
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- . -------,._~-~.--~,~ h T9v! --'521 b Att. #1 •4- r 2. Tobacco ~Lnui'acturere' Stsnding Co:mnittee Although getting little attention In this country, on August 2nd, our British colleagues announced the formation of a Tobacco Manufacturers' Standing Committee with scientific advisors and purposee. This action In similar In many respects to that which we took late in 1953. Sir Alexander Maxrrell will act as Chairman of the Committee. Campbell-Johnson, Ltd., Hill and Knowlton'e affiliate in England, has been appointed public relations counsel to the Comeittee, and C. F. Todd of the Imperial Tobacco Company, Ltd., is acting as Secretary pending the appointment of a permanent Secretary, We are meeting with represente,ives of the TM.S; at the end of October in order to effect the maximum cooperation possible between our gr oups . 10. General Situation In our own situation, the paet several months have shown the value of the cooperative and coordinated efforts of the TII'iC organization for deal- ing with the problem of public att.acke as well as with developments In scientific research. As you all know, it is imperative that each decision be based on t'ne soundest judgment. I would like to emphasize that our activities are the result of mutual planning and consideration by the TIRC administrative staff, scientific advisora, public relations counsel and, frequently, members of the Executive Committee. The period since our last meeting In February has seen several major problems, including a couple of sensational attacks reminiecent of the early days of the Committee. The outlook for the future also is not without danger signs, some of which we are anticipating and will be discussed, and some of which We cannot, of course, foresee at this time. There have been at leW a half-dozen occasions when we felt d=rect comment on newspaper stories vae necessary and public statements were issued. 11. World-Telegram Story on Ranaaond-Horn Study The most recent occasion for coam+ent and action was the sensational story featured Friday, September 28, by the Scripps-Hovard newspapers, including the World-Telegram and Sun 1n Nev York. This copyrighted story purported to outline in advanMce of publication the final findings of the Ha®ond-Horn statistical study being sponsored by the American Cancer Society. The fact is that this story contained no real news but iras primarilaY a repeet of previous reports concerning this study. This In borne out by the fact that science editors of the major newspapers and wire services showed indifference to the story after they examined it, and it aid not even appear in Tlie New York Times or Herald Rribune.
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IiT~1~!.ta?17 Att. #1 -3- l The purpose of this Group is reported to be to investigate work underway dealing with tobacco and health, and to make recosmendations for work to be done in that field. It is presumed to be a long-term program to take several years. The meeting at Woods Hole was a harmonious one and virtually no attacks were made on tobacco as such. Another meeting of this Group was held for October 6-7 to discuss the heart and gastrointestinal phases of tobacco use. Doctors Cattell and Comroe of the Scientific Advisory Eoard attended this meeting. Hueper. It is expected that another meeting will be held on the pathological aspects, to which Dr. Reimann is to be invited, as well as Drs. Wynder and These are not public meetings and it is not the practice of this Group to give out publicity concerning the meetings, although it is always possible that something might leak out from individuals in attendance. 7. Research Results Being Published I would like to point out that the research under the Tobacco Industry Researl~b Committee's sponsorship is now progressing rapidly and some papers are being published. While these early papers appear to have no major impact, they are considered important in the scientific world. The publication, for example, of the study of Drs. Cooper and Knight in the New England Journal of Medic:ne concerning their research on the effects of tobacco smoking on gastric secretions of ulcer patients shr1 new light on the significance of smoking in relation to gastric ulcers. Ta?•• found no significant difference in the gastric secretions between smokers and non-smokPrs. The only other paper published to date acknowledging TIRC support concerned tests for cancer-causing substances on mice. (Bock and Mund of Roswell Park Memorial Institute, Buffalo, in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.) 8. Visits to Europe During the spring and summer, our liaison with the significant investi- gations being carried on in Englanrt were greatly strengthened through visits by Drs. Little and Cattell. These visits, I can assure you, have been helpful not only in the development of our own work. They have also been appreciated by members of the British tobacco industry who are interested in our mutual problem and are under more constant attack. You are doubtless aware of the pressures which have been brought on the British Minister of Health to under- take a campaign against smoking, as was reported in one of the recent press summaries sent to you. I
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I Att. #1 -5- We have been assured by Scripps-BoWard executives that the empbasis given this story does not represent any editorial policy of at•tack against the tobacco industry, but that it was considered by the writer and hi editor as a legitimate news "beat." That there could be aisagreenient over the newvalue of the story is conceded to be a matter of opinion. This illustrates the constant danger present when writers who are unfamiliar with the complexities of the cancer problem and cancer research attempt to write a story about the subject. FSrom several reliable sources we are told that the reporter got his story from an almost acciQental conversation with Cuyler Aammoad which occurred during the writer's visit to the Cancer Society's office. in search of a differert story altogether. We are told officials of the Society did nc+t sanction the story and regretted the manner in which it vas presented. We have, of course, known all along that we could expect further undesirable publicity when the final Eamsond 8orn results were published, and we are fully aware that this recent publicity to the Cancer Society study will not be the last. 12. Life and Reader's Digest ldeetings Publication in two national =gas3nes of attacks on cigar•ttes gave occasion to useful coaterences with the chief editorial personn•1 of those publications. Following the appearance in the Jhne 11 issue of Lile Xagasine of an article based largely on Dr. Au•rbaoh's study of hmrnig tissues talten friim autopsies, we had a a•eting with 8enty Lace, ffiitor-in-0hi•f of the Time-Lile publications, as well as s•veral of his assoeiat•s. Dr. Little, John Eili and Richard Darror of 313.1 an6 Knowlton, Inc., and I hsd a vearir satisfactory conference. This was follovd a ool3Dle or we]n l.tw by a luncheon-meeting with soms of Life's top •aitorial staff to diseuss the scientific approach of the Camgei still further. An article in the J4djr Reader's Di st entitled "WV an Airline P31o!t Quit Smoking" proopted a c • s anas o! the contents of this artiole. Following this, we had a a•etin` with DeWitt Wallace, editor of S• Reader's Dieest, and his top aebical Yriters. Dr. Little eqlained the sareAr =a approach of the 'hobaooo Industry Research Cosmitt••, and Mr. Darrow and I discussed other aspscts of int•rest. There have been follow-up contacts resulting from these sessions and further conferences with th• staffs of th•se reasia•s are planned. Certainly there is now a bitter nnderstandiag of our position aad our problem, and I believe that ve vill have the opportwaity at lsut to be consulted in the future on articles d•alini with our field of iater•st.
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f?i,'.!9 tiTn_J Att. #1 -6- I I 13. Conferences with Dr. Nliddleton and Dr. Dorn Because we have all been concerned with the direction of the so-called "Veterans Study of Lung Cancer," both Dr. Hockett and I made a spec_al visit to Dr. Middleton, Chief Medical Director of the Veterans Administration to discuss the veterans study with him. Dr. Middleton was fully aware of the Tobacco Industry Research Committee's activities and spoke highly of them. He assured us of whatever cooperation he could extend, although he pointed out that the major work in the veterans study is being carried out by the Public Institutes of Health. As a result of this, Dr. Hockett visited Dr. Harold F. Dorn of the National Institutes of Health and has established a friendly working relationship with Dr. Dorn, who has assured us that there is nothing imminent in the way of a final report of this study. However, s preliminary sampling of their findings is expected to get underva.y this fall and we will watch this with greatest interest. 14. American Cancer Society On October 8, Drs. Cattell and Hockett, Mr. Mefford R. Runyon, Executive Vice Pres:dent of the American Cancer Society, and I ba.d luncheon. The purpose was to become better acquainted and to effect a better mutual understanding. I have every reason to believe this was accomplished. Mr. Runyon confirmed the fact that the World-Telegram report of the Hammond-Horn study was not in any sense an o:`ficial release of the American Cancer Society. In response to a direct question, Mr. Run,yon indicated that the Society as such has taken no official stand on tobacco use. It is its intention to limit itself to releasing scientific findings and observations from wbich the public may draw its own conclusions. ' The forthcoming ACS pamphlet on smoking and cancer will be of this character. It will definitely be Mr. Rnnyon's policy to show the manuscript to TIRC's public relations counsel In advance of publication. Mr. Ranyon indicated his complete willingness to be consulted directly by TIRC on any problem, and accepted the invitation to feel equally free to call us. Both parties are understood to be at liberty to state the fact frankly if any question arises which cannot be fully answered. Mr. Runyon also expressed approval of the full exchange of information about grants and projects. Regarding the Ha,romond-Sorn statistical study, no further follow-up on the 186,000 men being surveyed is intended and the statisticians are now at work completing their tabulations and Interpretation of the data. Formal publication of the final report is not intended until sometime in 1q57. The annual meeting of the Society here in New York at the end of this month will doubtless result in more information concerning the Cancer Society's activities about lung cancer.
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H ToOt I ~?ti0 Att. #1 -7- I \ 15. General Outlook In both the scientific and lay press, we see increasing signs of broadening recognition that the problen of lung cancer goes far beyond any statistical relationship to cigarette smoking. While tobacco is still under close scientific scrutiny in relation not only to lung cancer, but also in the cardiovascular field, there is a growing disnosition to concede that the finger of suspicion ca.nnot be pointed to cigarettes alone. This has both its good and bad aspects. On the bad side, it still tends to implicate cigarettes and there is an unfortunate tendency to accept without critical analysis the conclusions of such men as Hammond and Horn and Dr. Wynder. Also, there is increased comment concerning tobacco as a possible co-suspect which, in combination with other factors, may be suspected of helping to induce certain ailmente. On the other hand, it has resulted in less sensational treatment of the more emotional attacks against tobacco and has encouraged the lay press to present more balanced stories where tobacco is involved. On the scientific side, this broadened attitude has meant greater freedom for investigators to analyze critically the accusations against tobacco and to continue or initiate sound research into some of the basic questions whicb still remain unresolved. This comes back, then, to the fact that the real backbone of our program has been and must continue to be our scientific research program, so ably developed by Dr. Little and his colleagues. Certainly tbe industry bas gained real stature es a result of its willingness to put the problem in the hands of the scientists. While 14 is not alva,qs easy to take the emotional, e.nd often unscientific, attacks of the industry's detractors, I personally feel certain that our method of dealing with these attacks has proved to be sound and, on the whole, extremely beneficial not only to our industry but to the scientists vho have so unselfishly given of th.ir time and wisdom to help us get at the real facts. I

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