Tobacco Documents Online

~ THE TOBACCO INSTITUTE 1778 K STREET, NORTHWEST/WASHINGTON, D.C. 20006 202/457-}800 OUR TOLL FREE NUMBER IS: 800/424-9876 .u Solomon Garb, M.D. Citizens' Committee for the Conquest of Cancer 7159 South Franklin Way Littleton, Colorado 80122 Dear Dr. Garb: HORACE R. KORNEGAY President 202/457-4830 November 24, 1978 The chief executives of several of our member firms have advised me of a letter you sent to them on September 20 and they have asked r.me'to respond in their behalf. Your letter indicates that your judgments about cancer causation are quite different than my understandings. This does not mean, however, that we need to differ on the matter of support for a sound national cancer program. Those who have suggested to you that the tobacco industry has attacked such a program are quite wrong. Tobacco smoking, of course, has been reportedly associated with the incidence of certain types of cancers. It has also been alleged to be associated with other illnesses. Early reports of such associations prompted the tobacco companies to provide substantial funds as early as 25 years ago to support independent research aimed at clarifications of these reported associations. We are very proud of the fact that this effort long antedated the first Surgeon General's report on smoking and health and the government's "war on cancer," and of the fact that our industry funding now approaches $75 million. You are certainly correct in being skeptical about our plans and attitudes as they were incorrectly reported to you. We ha e not been, for example, in a position to know whether the National Cancer Institute has misman aged its assignment. On the other hand, we are aware that some persons believe this to be the 4 case and that others do not. ~ W ~ ~ GJ OD.

Solomon Garb, M. D. November 3, 1978 Page 2 Our view of the American Cancer Society is, of course, some- what different. We sincerely believe that the organization has ill-served the public in its premature judgments about tobacco smoking, its politicization of the scientific controversy about tobacco and, on occasion, its misrepresentation of actual - research results in the smoking and health field. We believe further that these activities.have diminished rather than fostered incentives and support for essential research in this field'. We have never hesitated to express these beliefs to anyone. In closing., let me compliment you on your particular interest in additional research on more effective andless toxic anticancer drugs. It seems impossible that anyone could dispute that aim. Sincerely, Horace R. Kornegay The Tobacco Institute, Inc. HRK:mss

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