Tobacco Documents Online

r ti r

i This letter is headed for immediato release October 18, 1974, Office of the Uhite Iious? Press Secretary. Text of letter from t1he presidentt to Dr. Rnoads, Chairman of the National Cancer Advisory Board. Dear Dr: Rhoads: I have rece i;~ed and .revi ei•red a prel imi r:.ary cop;; of the 1974 Annual Report of the National Cancer Advisory Roard. In several places, the Board's Report recommends federal regulation of the tar ar d~~ico~ine co~teiit of ciga-rcttes. The_ Report does not ho;reve}~ provide an a5se~5rent of t~,e scientific ev-idence at hand which should provide-the basis for such regulation. In order that-all-conce.rned inay-be fully informed Iwould like to request that the National Cancer Advisory Board review th2 existing scientific evidence on an urgent basi s and °provice me with an - assessment of the extent to which ther-e-exists a scientific basis for responsible_regui«iion of cigarettes. I recognize that ai1-cuestions of-regu.laition necessarily involve a certain -amHount of reasonable disagreement as well as the exercise of soLmd judgment. Nevertheless, it is critically important that our judgments be soundly based so that z,e may proceed with the greatest amount of wisdom. I know I can count on the Idati(inal Cancer Advisory Board to provide me with scientific advice on this important matter of public concern. I would greatly appreciate the Bcard's assessment by December l, 1974. Sincerely, Gerald R. Ford 1;