Tobacco Documents Online

r.MMORAT-TnUM '-T'O ' DAV I J7 R. HARDY SiJRJFCT : RFPORT ON FidVIRnrIT4EI'1TAL TOBACCO SA?O':F FROM : DONALD K. HOEL On July 15, 1975, an advisory group on environmental tobacco smoke (Dr. Frank G. Colby, Dr. William L. Dunn, Jr., Dr. Raymond Fagan, Timothy M. Finnegan, Dr. I. W. Hughes, Edwin J. Jacob, Donald K. Poel and Patrick Sirridge) met at the offices of CTR. This group discussed further the research matters contained in the "Sugaested Areas of Research" outline previously submitted to the Research Liaison Committee. It was decided that the followina he recommended: I. Research (short-term) on the claimed "annoyance" aspects of tobacco smoke. A. Relative a.nnoyance values of various situations includincr environmental tobacco smoke. 1. The measurement of aversion--development of a feasible instrument such as a auestion- naire through which a person could designate from a list of stimuli and situations, those found to be most and least aversive. Such a selection process would result in a score, capable of being charted on an aversion scale. Claims of widespread annoyance to environmental tobacco smoke could be placed in perspective. 2. The psychological characteristics of individual aversion to environmental smoke--a study relating individual degree of aversion to smoke, as mea- sured by the device developed in section 1 above, to other psychological attributes. A multifactorial analysis would be expected to show that degree of aversion is associated with other identifiable personality traits 'r

B. Relative influence of cognitive versus physical irritation in eliciting annoyance responses from non-snokers. 1. Establishment of a smoke concentration threshold for different sites of claimed irritation--for example, determination of a smoke concentration level at which eye irritation has its onset to meet the allegation that eye irritation is experienced by some individuals in proximity to cigarette smokers. It is anticipated that the protester will first report eye irritation at a smoke concentration level far exceeding those reached in normal smoking areas when only the subject's eyes are exposed. The key aspect of the study will be the effects of smoke on the eye in isolation from the subject's other sensory faculties. It is believed that this concept will hold true for other individual sites. 2. The differentiation of atmospheres containing smoke from atmospheres free of smoke, and the relation- ship of aversion ratings to belief in the presence of smoke--a study demonstrating that the alleged physical discomfort attributed to smoke results from the perception of the presence of smoke rather than the physical effects of the smoke per se. 3. Physical discomfort in the absence of physical exposure to tobacco smoke--creation of a set of circumstances with cognitive cues leading the subject to believe that he is being exposed to smoke-filled air when no such exposure exists. It is expected that physical discomfort will result as a function solely of the cognitive cues. [It is anticipated that the above research on annoyance will involve expenditures of $100,000-$150,000 and a time span of from one to two years. Appropriate research facilities have been identified and will be approached to obtain specific proposals and cost information.] II. Tobacco smoke as a possible allergen. A. The group believes that tobacco smoke as a possible allergen is an important and valid area of research. The establishment of a research proposal will depend on determining if scientific methods for the identi- fication of tobacco smoke allergy are available. This search will be und.ertaken. -2-

III. Health aspects of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. A. Children--home exposure. The group believes that the contribution of environmental tobacco smoke is prob- ably not significant. However, this area of controversy is seen as politically and emotionally important. The overall study of respiratory disease etiology is being evaluated. It is suggested that the possible contribu- tion of environmental tobacco smoke be included in this evaluation. The possible use of data from Kaiser Permanente and Framingham studies might have value and should be explored. B. Physically compromised individuals and pregnant women. It is suggested that reported research on these two groups be analyzed more thoroughly in connection with present research before recommending specific project proposals. IV. Exposure of humans to other substances not found in tobacco smoke. A. Due to arguments that inhalation of environmental tobacco smoke is "an involuntary impingement on the body of non- smokers," there is a need to investigate the absorption of other common environmental substances. The group does wish to avoid duplication of research performed by others on certain products. It will assess the data and explore the feasibility and advisability of additional research in this area. V. Atmosphere characterization and measurement programs. A. The group will explore the feasibility of performing various pilot studies in controlled experimental situations. Emphasis would be placed upon specific problems which have recently emerged such as the measurement of carbon monoxide levels in close proximity to the smoker. B. Development and utilization of portable measurement devices and test protocol to determine the amount of atmospheric CO and nicotine. This equipment could be used by independent testing laboratories in various parts of the country. 7-