Abstract
In this 1991 Philip Morris document, Helmut Gaisch (President of PM Europe's Science & Technology division) plots the ultimate scientific coup for a cigarette company: the formation of a public health institute whose expertise and authority would exceed that of the World Health Organization (WHO) and other respected existing European public health organizations. The goal was "to create a European foundation...whose goal is to become THE scientific authority on a wide range of human concerns, thus putting itself above the WHO, FAO [Food and Agriculture Organization] and other organisations who restrict themselves to narrower fields."
Troubled by difficulty getting mainstream scientists to agree with the company's point of view on secondhand smoke, Gaisch complained that mainstream science was actually the problem, saying "scientific thinking largely continues according to traditional patterns, whilst reality has changed fundamentally." He expressed a need for a scientific body that could "serve as a source of factual information and its political interpretation," "give politicians the necessary factual basis to re-adjust public policies wherever necessary," and "achieve a lasting impact on society."
Gaisch proposed modeling the organization after another PM front group, ARIA (Associates for Research in Indoor Air), and outfitting it with a prestigious board that would create "a political umbrella in the form of powerful patrons" who would help "put the Foundation out of reach from lowly political attacks and bestow it with authority." He believed that forming such a foundation would be "the best way for corporate PM to spend research money on a broad range of topics of true human importance AND to obtain political benefits by the same token."
This document shows a prominent European Philip Morris scientist desperate to find some way--no matter how far-fetched--to reconcile the industry's strained scientific beliefs with those of mainstream science.
Fields
- Quotes
The purpose of the project is to draw attention, to the fact that political and scientific thinking largely continues according to traditional patterns, whilst reality has changed fundamentally. As individuals, however qualified and respected they might be, have not the necessary weight of scientific and political authority, a scientific body with political anchorage is needed to serve as source of factual information and its political interpretation. The essential argument is that, in order to enable politicians to break with the conventional thinking patterns of the past, something visibly new has to be created: a new organisation that provides compelling arguments (solutions). It should be made clear from the beginning, that, in order to achieve a lasting impact on society, something durable, ie. an "institution", has to be created...
The principal idea is to create a foundation, society or institute whose goal is to become THE scientific authority on a wide range of human concerns, thus putting itself above WHO, FAO and other organisations who restrict themselves to narrower fields. The idea is that the Foundation will supersede the WHO and its Agencies as the principal advisor to the European Community on a range of issues including public health. The Foundation shall deal with a broad range of human concerns in the modern society : economics, personal income, employment, moti- vation, standard of living, migration pressures (search for better conditions), ideological pressures, etc. Health and welfare, medical care for the young, the working population and the elderly; its efficiency, availability, affordability and matters of personal dignity; public health necessities and priorities considering care and enjoyment of life,, living with stress, etc.,
Environmental concerns: balancing ecological necessities against collective economic ambitions, finding new ways to accommodate individual wishes, etc ... IN CONCRETE TERMS, THE INSTITUTE SHOULD ISSUE, ON A CONTINUOUS BASIS, [conduct, provide?] ANALYSES OF CURRENT PROBLEM AREAS AND SUGGEST SOLUTIONS EITHER IN THE FORM OF STRATGIES FOR ACTION OR IN THE FORM OF PLANS FOR INVESTIGATIONS, RESEARCH OR FOR PUBLIC DEBATE. THE OPENING SALVO SHOULD BE A WORKSHOP (see Part B)IN WHICH AN ANALYSIS IS PRESENTED TOT HE PUBLIC CONTAINING THE FOLLOWING CONSIDERATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
(1) Analysis of the acute problem areas in Western Europe (2) Analysis of the acute problem areas in Eastern Europe (3) Integrated solutions taking into account both needs. (4) Specific recommendations for the necessary changes in public policies.
The title of the Foundation shall be such as to make it clear that it is concerned with the broadest aspects of human concerns, eg. European Institute of Individual and Community Welfare. The Foundation shall be formed in analogy to the "ARIA /IAI" model; but include political patronaqe:
- A small nucleus of committed, trusted and capable scientists shall form the executive level of the Foundation and act as "locomotives."
- There shall be different categories of members: individual membership, student membership, institutional membership and corporate membership..
- The Foundation shall sponsor doctoral theses, post-doctoral research and scientific events.
- A board of trustees, consisting mainly of active European politicians, shall be established to put the Foundation out of reach from lowly political attacks and bestow it with authority.
Since the process of establishing a politically united "Europe" is advancing rapidly, now is a particularly favourable time for implementing the concept outlined above. Further explanations of the concept are best given verbally. If agreement in principle is reached for me to go ahead, I would start by forming a small task force to work on the details of the action plan and to develop the contacts with politicians and scientists who would play the key roles. Helmut Gaisch 1st September, 1991
- Company
- Philip Morris
- Author
- Gaisch, Helmut W. (PM Europe Science & Technology President)
Director and Principal Scientist, Tobacco Science and Technology, Fabriques De Tabac Reunite, S.A., (1987). Helmut Gaisch was an attendee at Philip Morris's 1987 Operation Downunder Conference, held to determine a new strategy the company could take on the issue of ETS. (PM's "Accommodation" strategy was borne from this conference). Gaisch worked to thwart ETS regulations in Europe using data from INBIFO. He was a Philip Morris European scientist, Head of Laboratories, FTR/Philip Morris Europe. Member to Tobacco Advisory Council (TAC), 1987.
- Recipient
- Presumed corporate recipient, Philip Morris
RegionEurope
Named OrganizationASH, Action on Smoking & Health
European Community
European Inst of Individual + Community
Food and Agricultural Organization (Branch of the U.N. that leads efforts to defeat hunger)
Scientific Committee
Scientific Organising Committee
Select Committee
World Health Organization (Concerned with global public health)International organization concered with public health worldwide
Association for Research in Indoor Air (ARIA) (Association for Research on Indoor Air)Association for Research on Indoor Air - set up by industry consultants (George Leslie, Francis Roe, Frank Lanau) to fund Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) seminars, research, and IAQ publications.
LitigationStmn/Produced
Named PersonXxhugh
TypeREPT, REPORT, OTHER
Subjectpublic health policy
Front groups
Document Images
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Version 1st September, 1991
M'
A STRATEGY FOR EUROPE, FAVOURING A RATIONAL APPROACH TO PUBLIC
POLICY-MAKING IN ALL IMPORTANT AREAS : ECONOMICS, HEALTH &
WELFARE AND THE ENVIRONMENT
--------------------------------------------------------------
PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES
The purpose of the project is to draw attention to
the fact that political and scientific thinking
largely continues according to traditional patterns,
whilst reality has changed fundamentally. As
individuals, however qualified and respected they
might be, have not the necessary weight of scientific
and political authority, a scientific body with
political anchorage is needed' to serve as source of
factual information and its political interpretation.
The essential argument is that, in order to enable
politicians to break with the conventional thinking
patterns of the past, something visibly new has to be
created : a new organisation that provides compelling
arguments (solutions).
It should be made clear from the beginning, that, in
order to achieve a lasting impact on society,
something durable, ie. an "institution", has to be
created.
STRUCTURE OF THE PROPOSAL
This proposal is presented in two parts. Part A N
contains the core argumentation and provides a vision
of the envisaged European and world scenario, once the _
project has reached cruising speed. Part B describes
an idea for the initiating event to start the project
with a bang.
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"European~Institute" - Version : ist September, 1991, page 2
PART A
EUROPEAN INSTITUTE OF INDIVIDUAL AND COMMUNITY WELFARE
A PHILIP MORRIS FOUNDATION
* These thoughts are the result of discussions with
experienced scientists and other public figures with
political experience.
* The principal idea is to create a foundation, society
or institute whose goal is to become THE scientific
authority on a wide range of human concerns, thus
putting itself above WHO, FAO and other orgariisations
who restrict themselves to narrower fields.
* The idea is that the Foundation will supersede the WHO
and its Agencies as the principal advisor to the
European Community on a range of issues including
public health.
* The Foundation shall deal with a broad range of human
concerns in the modern society :
- Economics : personal income, employment, moti-
vation, standard of living, migration pressures
(search for better conditions), ideological
pressures, etc ...
- Health and welfare : medical care for the young,
the working population and the elderly; its
efficiency, availability, affordability and
matters of personal dignity; public health
necessities and priorities considering care and
enjoyment of life, living with stress, etc...
- Environmental concerns : balancing ecological
necessities against collective economic ambitions,
finding new ways to accommodate individual wishes,
etc ...
IN CONCRETE TERMS, THE INSTITUTE SHOULD ISSUE, ON
A CONTINUOUS BASIS, ANALYSES OF CURRENT PROBLEM
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AREAS AND SUGGEST SOLUTfiONS EITHER IN THE FORM OF
STRATGIES FOR ACTION OR IN THE FORM OF PLANS FOR
INVESTIGATIONS, RESEARCH OR FOR PUBLIC DEBATE.
THE OPENING SALVO SHOULD BE A WORKSHOP (see Part
B), IN WHICH AN ANALYSIS IS PRESENTED TO THE PUBLIC
CONTAINING THE FOLLOWING CONSIDERATIONS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
:
(1), Analysis of the acute problem areas in Western
Europe
(2) Analysis of the acute problem areas irf Eastern
Europe
(3) Integrated solutions taking into account both
needs.
(4) Specific recommendations for the necessary
changes in public policies.
* The title of the Foundation shall be such as to make it
clear that it is concerned with the broadest aspects of
human concerns, eg. European Institute of Individual
and Community Welfare.
* The Foundation shall be formed in analogy to the "ARIA
/ IAI" model; but include political patronage :
- A small nucleus of committed, trusted and capable
scientists shall form the executive level of the
Foundation and act as "locomotives".
- There shall be different categories of members
:
individual membership, student membership, insti-
tutional membership and corporate membership.
- The Foundation shall sponsor doctoral theses,
post-doctoral research and scientific events.
- A board of trustees, consisting mainly of active
European politicians, shall be established to put
the Foundation out of reach from lowly political
attacks and bestow it with authority. (See TV
UWOO, ~1~
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W
W
~
~
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"European Institute" - Version : lst September, 1991, page 4
video on the select committee hearings : Sir Hugh
and the representatives of ASH). _
* The budget of the Foundation shall be used mainly for
scientific ends such as the support of research and
meetings,
cost. although there will be some administrative
* Depending whether one creates a foundation or a
non-profit making society, the initial financial
arrangements would differ. Once the organisation has
reached "cruising speed", some five years from -now, the
cost would run into several million dollars annually.
* Initially, PM shall be the driving (and financing)')
force of the Foundation. PM could do so without pre-
judicing the Foundation's integrity, provided that
there is a political umbrella in the form of powerful
patrons, and provided that the money is spent in
accordance with the statutes, ie. largely for scienti- ~~I~
fic purposes.
* This is the best way for corporate PM to spend research
money on a broad range of topics of true human impor-
tance AND to obtain political benefits by the same
token.
* Given the involvement of figures. fr= the European
political scene, the strategy outlined above represents
the most direct way, both 'politically and legally
correct, of providing the European Community with
factual advice it would be eager to access when carry- ~
ing out regulatory work. Furthermore, the signifi- ~
~
cance of this goes beyond the borders of Europe as the ~
European Community is increasingly being taken as the
~
international model
areas. for policy making in a variety of W
W
0
N
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"European Institute" - Version : ist September, 1991, page 5
PART B
EUROPEAN WORKSHOP ON INDIVIDUAL~AND COTUITY WELFARE.
ORGANISED BY
THE "PHILIP MORRIS FORSCHUNGSPREIS" FOUNDATION
PHILIP MORRIS GERMANY
The workshop should be a two to three-day event for top-class
scientist, patronised by politicians of European format.
It should be preceded by a series of working sessions of a
scientific organising committee, which should be composed of
five to seven key scientists, who prepare questions,- search,
compile and provide data and other necessary information,, so
that the workshop will yield high quality results.
The programme of the workshop :
(1) INTRODUCTORY SESSION, ADDRESS BY X.Y., PRESIDENT
OF ....., ON' THE NEEDS FOR A RATIONAL APPROACH TO
SOLUTION FINDING. (Present : the invited politicians,
the participating scientists, the press).
(2) PLENARY SESSION, CHAIRED BY A TOP-CLASS SCIENTIST,
DEFINING THE RANGE OF'PROBLEMS, STRUCTURING'THE SUBJECT
MATTER INTO GROUPS, ASSIGNING PARTICIPANTS TO
INDIVIDUAL TASK FORCES. (Present : the participating
scientists only).
(3) PARALLEL TASK FORCE MEETINGS - PROBLEM DEFINITION,
INFORMATION GATHERING, INFORMATION ANALYSIS, SOLUTIONS.
(Present : the participating scientists only).
(4) PLENARY SESSION : TASK FORCE REPORTS. (The
participating scientists only).
(5) MEETING OF THE SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE ELABORATING A
SYNTHESIS OF THE TASK FORCE RESULTS. (Present : the
scientific committee only).
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"European Institute" - Version : lst September, 1991, page 6
(6) PLENARY SESSION AND PRESS CONFERENCE. ADDRESS BY
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKSHOP SUMMARLSING THE RESULTS
AND RECOMMENDATIONS. ADDRESS BY X.Y, PRESIDENT OF
....., EXPLAINING THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS APPROCH' TO
SOLUTION FINDING, ITS UTILITY FOR PUBLIC LIFE AND THE
IMPORTANCE FOR EACR OF US, WHETHER WE LIVE IN EUROPE,
ASIA OR AMERICA. (Present : the invited politicians,
the participating scientists, the press).
As outlined earlier, the targeted problem areas for this
workshop are :
(1) Analysis of the acute problem areas in Western Europe
(2) Analysis of the acute problem areas in Eastern Europe
(3f Integrated solutions taking into account both needs.
(4) Specific recommendations for the necessary changes in
public policies.
The scope of the analysis and recommended solutions should
cover :
(1) Economics, including such sociological aspects as eg.
inter-regional migration pressure due to gradients in personal
income, living conditions and personal opportunities.
(2) Health and welfare, including considerations of the
different needs associated with structurally different
populations; eg. care for the elderly v/s,life-style advocacy
programmes, questions of availability, affordability of social
and medical care, questions of preservation of personal
dignity, enjoyment of life and freedom of choice, adminis-
trative and technological solutions to problems of structural
origin.
(3) Environmental concerns, balancing ecological necessities
against collective economic ambitions, environmental
considerations with regards to nature and to man (personal
well-being, recreational needs), the outdoor and the indoor
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environment, urbanistic planning taking into account both
environmental andd human needs.
W
(4) Most importantly, the integration of all these
considerations into a coherent scenario with reasonable
solutions.
Most people disagree with extremist ideologies on any topic
and dislike "activists". However, the public is powerless and
feels helpless to deal with self-appointed "experts". The
recommendations of this workshop should give politicians the
necessary factual basis to re-adjust public policies wherever
necessary.
Since the process of establishing a politically united
"Europe" is advancing rapidly, now is a particularly favour-
able time for implementing the concept outlined above.
Further explanations of the concept are best given verbally.
If agreement in principle is reached for me to go ahead, I
would start by forming a small task force to work on the
details of the action plan and to develop the contacts with
politicians and scientists who would play the key roles.
Helmut Gaisch
ist September, 1991
(Original version : May, 1991)
