Tobacco Documents Online

:, WORLD JOURNAL TRIBUNE New York, New York March 20, 1967 By E•ALANUEL DOERNBERG Attlsfanl Flnonciol EdRor LiF6ett & Myers Tobacco Co. today criticized the over- emphasis of the smoking and health theory • because 1t "can seriously cm•tail- the massive research effort ... critically needed to discover. the facts about the diseases" statistically linked to smok- Ing by some scientists. ' In its annual report for 1966. the L&M report, signed by Milton E. Hariington, president, also rapped taxes as a• major industry problem. "We believe," the report Faid, "it is essential that the public not be misled about the facts nor be confused by theories stated as facts" In relation to the emoking- health problem. HINDE, ~ 5 RE 5EARCH At best, such suggestions are ~ matters of opinion and guess N'ork," L&M charged. Many eminent scientists and medical authorit•les, the report noted, as well as re- e sponsible members of the tobacco industry, have , re- pcatedly said there is no scientific proof that 'tar' or nicotine have any signifi- canee In terms of human health. The L&M report termed as ','astonishing" the about- face by the Federal Trade Commission last sunrmcr. At that time the FTC an- nounced it would permit ad-, verWsing of 'tar' and nlco- tine content of cigarettes and'..the intivductlon of a, CONFUSION SEEN , MILTON E. IIAIRItINGTON "We also believe that re- cent emphasis on 'tar' and established human health nicotine can mislead and significance for 'tar' and confuse the.public Insofar as nicotine or for particular it, au"esta ; that science hu lerela -ot .'tse eas;d nlcotine. y 511 1003043000 FEARS OVEREPUrPHASIS ; bill In Cqngresa to ;eqiuire. listing of the 'tar' and nico- tine content In all packaging and advertising. STAND C1fANGED Says L&M: "Since 1955, the FI'C' had maintained that any statements about 'tar' and nicotine content would be misleading. 'Our purpose,' the FTC told all cigarette manufacturers In 1959 'is to eliminate from cigarette advertising rep+e- sentations which In any way imply, health benefit." In the face of any new evidence to support its about-face. L&M said, the FTC last year announced !t would set up its own re- search laboratory to meas- ui-e 'tar' and nlootlne con- tent of cisarettea. , , , ,~. hearings, not to require such , ~listing3." The report. also hit "ex- ~ ~ orbitant, punitlve and un- / :-ij * reasonable state and local ay'< : excise taxes on cigarettes." !1 Warning that municipal ing a greater threat to the tobacco Industry. L&M cited as an exalnple New York City's b-cent per pack levy on top of the 10-cent N.Y. The bill requiring content State tax on top of the 8- ot cigarettes to be advertised cent Federal tax. This, It KTs died In adjournment . last, pointed out, hes resulted In j year, but L&M says lt is cx. large-scale bootlegging and a;; pected a similar bill will be substantlal loss In locailT ; reintaoduced in the current taxed clRarette sales In N.Y. Congress. City. TAXES ItAPPED The total excise tax on i "Such a blll," the report cigarettes In 1966 ciimbed to a record high ot $3:8 billion, ~; to stockholders declared, f. or 5.6 per cent more than 1n ~; "would be contrary to the 1965. L&M said. The total, y provisions of the Federal it added, does not include t Cigarette Labeling and Ad- income and franchise taxes, ii vertasing Act and the dcci- state ' and municipal sales j; sion of the Congress in.1965, `taxee and other direct and, ~~ reaehed' . after protracted Udlreet taxea. • i I 1• and county taxes are becom-