Tobacco Documents Online

~ q -MPCCC)NTIT i'[i I~C `1 ` 11 '~' ~ HONACE R. NORNEG.17 1776 K STRtET, \OnTHMST ; t:'ASHiNGTON, D.i-. 20006 1202i 245-8dsa Pr,•srdznf October 21, 1974 !'F:.'•.'OR.^~ ~,"iD[J:-1 TO: Chief Executive Officers FP,Ci.i: Horace Kornegay Here is a clarification, with documentation of President Ford's action last Friday regarding the tar and nicotine content of cigarettes. The sequence is as follows: (1.) The Annual Report of the National Cancer Advisory Board - for the year 1973 recommended legislation to-regulate the sale- of high tar and nicotine cigarettes. (See-Attachment A.) (2.) Dr. Jonathan E. Rhoads, Chairman of the NCAB, sent the report to the White House on September 3, 1974 saying the members of the Board would be glad to respond to questions or requests for amplification. (3.) The President's letter to Dr. Rhoads, October 18, 1974, was more than a request for amplification--it was a-request for substantiation. Noting that the Board had failed to provide any scientific assessment, the President asked the Board to back up its cigarette recommendation by December 1. (See Attachment B). - (4.) The UPI version of this action was misleading, making it appear as if the President has initiated the proposal because of his "interest" in it. In fact, Mr. Ford was making the point that "responsible" legislation must rest on "a scientific basis". (5.) The TI initial response to the press was necessarily brief--simply noting that "any move-which might lead to an objective review of the scientific evidence is a step in the right direction." A fuller statement was made to the - Raleigh News-Observer. (See Attachment D). C ~ Please be assured that the TI stafff will keep you informed of this ~ developing situation. - ~ ~ rC'+ 0 H