Tobacco Documents Online

i t I I I THE UNIVERSITY OF NUCHIG.1N SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTI-i DEP.IRTNSE.\T OF HEALTH PLA.^I`7I1(: AND ADMINISTRATION A:IN ARBOR, NIICHICAY 48109 September 2, 1980 Walter P. Maner III Executive Secretary Michigan Tobacco f, Candy Distributors and Vendors Association Inc. 523 West Ionia Street Lansing, Michigan 48933 Dear Walt: Thank you for your letter of August 26 concerning-the work of the Governor's Citizens' Panel on Smoking and Health. I am writing now to respond promptly, fully, and candidly. I share your concern about the serious time constraint confronting the Panel. Clearly, that factor restricts our ability, as a group, to investigate data and issues at a depth we would desire in a constraint-free world. As I have noted at Panel meetings,: I am taking the view that the work of the Panel must be considered in light of the restrictions on time and other resources. I hope that the Panel will recommend that the Governor charge an existing or new bureaucratic entity, or perhaps a new citizens' panel, to investigate the issues and monitor State smoking-and-health " activities on a dontinuing basis. I cannot agree, however, with a basic theme of your letter, namely, that "'Hany of the statements in [the discussion paper) concerning smoking and health are highly questionable and based upon unproven medical assumptions, dubious social accounting techniques and unbalanced economic rationales. Others are simply inaccurate..." As a scientist, I am particularly sensitive to the need for objectivity and proof. I believe that my published work on the subject of smoking and health demonstrates that; and_Mr. Spaniolo (and, I thought, you tDo) commented quite favorably on the balance in the paper after the first Panel meeting. The facts presented in that paper are just that: facts. The causal evidence linking cigarette smoking to a variety of debilitating and fatal illnesses is scientifically overwhelming. Even the recent, long-term, tobacco industry-financed study by the AMA drew that con- clusion. I do not know of any objective, scienti-fic observer who questions the basic facts of smoking and health. I am quite prepared to believe that the quantitative estimates -- of -246-

I l•ralter P. Maner III September 2, 1980 Page Two - the prevalence of smoking-induced illness, its cost, etc. -- may be imprecise; but I am firmly convinced that the qualitative story those figures portray is wholly accurate. I cannot see that the Panel's work would have changed at all had we concluded that smoking annually cont:ibutes to the deaths of 200,000 Americans, instead of over 300,000, or that the economic costs of smoking induced illness are really $30 billion instead of $40 billion. And the estimates used are likely to be much closer to accuracy than deviations such as these. . - I might add, for clarification, that my caveat on the "limitations of the paper" referred to omissions, writing style, and the like. I did not mean to suggest that factual assertions might be in error. Facts are well documented in the cited references, as well as elsewhere. In short, I firmly believe that any recommendations which emerge from the Panel will be based "on an accurate and adequate investigation of relevant facts concerning smoking and health." I am surprised by your impression that '"Che burden of studying or presenting the facts on all sides of an issue such as this (has been] left entirely in the hands of the project director." Regarding smoking-and- health facts, I did indeed present the only document written by someone involved in this current activity, though many published documents are familiar to all Panel members. With reference to the Panel's work on recommendations, I have played a relatively minor role, chairing the first subcommittee meeting on economic and legal issues. The ensuing work of the legal issues subcommittee, as well as all of that of the education and media subcommittee, has been undertaken without involvement of the project director. Indeed, I have been delighted with the willingness of several Panel members to devote considerable time and energy outside of the monthly Panel meetings. Unlike most advisory panel activities with which I have been involved, this Panel is doing a lot of the.basic thinking and proposal formulation. This-is clearly a group effort. I regret that we must complete the immediate work of this Panel by mid- November, but that is our charge. With a lot more time and a commitment of significant fiscal resources, I am sure that we could refine our understanding of policy needs and alternatives, but not, I suggest, of the basic smoking- and-health facts. I do not know that such an additional effort would qualitatively alter the recommendations of the.Panel, but as I see the possibility, I hope that you will'join me in supporting a proposal for an ongoing State effort in this area. - I will conclude by suggesting some contributions you might make to further assist the Panel in its deliberations: (1) If you find errors of fact in my discussion paper or in other relevant documents, please share them with us. You have had that opportunity all along, yet your letter of August 26 is the first indication that you believe such errors exist and you have not been specific as regards any of them. -Again, the only previous reaction of your rob I I I I I i i I I I t t L L L L -247-

r I (3) organization, conveyed the day of the first Panel akeeting, was that you found the written presentation much more balanced and objective than you had anticipated. (2) Contrary to your conclusion in the second paragraph of your letter, I find your participation on the Panel use- ful and essential. As a direct example of yoiir influence, I would point to the thus-far balanced consideration of the vending machine issue. I sincerely believe that your input and your very presence have been instrumental in shaping that discussion. I urge you to continue par- ticipating and contributing to Panel discussion. You are of course welcome to contribute written materials for the Panel's attention, as you have promised to do with regard to the question of teenagers' use of vending machines for access to cigarettes.. (4) You can encourage other representatives of the industry to share their thoughts with the Panel.. From the first meeting, I understood from you and Mr. Spaniolo that you intended to have a representative from the Tobacco Institute make a presentation to the Panel. The oppor- tunity for that remains. (S) As we discussed, I believe it would be appropriate for you to file a minority report for inclusion in the record, if you so desire. f Walter P. Maner III September 2, 1980 Page Three I hope that you find this an adequate response to your letter. I can appreciate your frustration, and I only hope that you appreciate the sincerity of my feeling that your continued participation represents an important input into the work of the Panel. Sincerely, /C_'P~ Xenneth E. Warner Project Director Governor's Citizens' Panel on Smoking and Health hEW:csb cc: Panel members and staff -248- ~