Tobacco Documents Online

CHPtONICLE DeKalb, _ 211inois August 27, 1960 PjJT THI5 IN YOUB PIPE ... A breath of fresh air - in the form '/lf.a pamphlet entitled "Tobacco and the ,Health of a Nation" =- has penetrated the miasma created by our reformers Who do not intend to rest until they ;= have:reduced man to a well-behaved mol- lnsk -=- secure in his protective shelI of inhibitions against alI adventures and aatisfactions, T'his reassuring little six-page leaflet by The Tobacco Institute, Ine:, notes that more Americans are living longer, - with greater life expectancy for every ~ ~ge group. Within this century, it points ~" out, the average 'ength of life in the U. ~;. ~S. has been extended from 47 to nearly (`fy: Z0 years! ~' Death rates from major lung ailmerits (including lung cancer) were 700 per ~ cent higher in 1900 than they are today, ~ having dropped from 430 deaths per 100 to 60: Age-adjusted death rates for • major heart diseases (allowing for more people living into older age-brackets) have declined front over 500 per 100,000 in 1928 to just over 400 per 100,000 tog -:4ay - l4wer than at any other period in this century. ' Today's young men are. taller and heavier than tlieir fathers and grand- fathei•s. The physical measurements of 'freshmen recorded at annual enroll- jnents by one m a j o r university have .gone up more than two inches in height and over' 20 pounds in weight since the turn of t,e century. And certainly no one nzeds statistical studles to realize ti,at tl.~ girls are prettier than ever. Trihute for this progress, says Ed- ward F. Ragland, vice president of The Tohacco Institu±e; "should certainly go to the medical profession and the drug industry as well as to nur high stand- ards of nutrition ' As .for the extreme charges that have been made against to- klacco ever since the peoples of the world ''first began en,ioying it, he ubserved!; "Those who attack cil*arettes by blam- _ ing, them for all kinds' of health prob- ' lems seem to overlook the fact that these health imarovements have also oc- curred during the same period that the DISPATChI - Henderson, North Carolina August 31, 1960 Tobacco Institute Offers 'Evacdence OnHealth Gains' rv WASHINGTON -- The 'Tobacco Institute, ipc., has cited afflcia{ .figures on the improving health and longevity of the American ' of our people since the beginning of thi's century. Tribute should cer- tainly go to the medical profession and the druo industry, as well as people, as a challenge to "health scares" attacking the use of to- bacco. .A pamphiet entitled "Tobacco and tlie Health of a Nation" notes that ever since tobacco began tol be enjoyed by people throughoutl the world, its opponents have aT ways attempted to make extreme charges against its use. . In announcing publication of the • pamphlet, Edward F. Ragland„vice president of the Toilacco Institute, said, "This leaflet gives facts and figures from U. S. Government and other sources showing the tremen- dous •advances made in the health ~ ments have also occured during the same period that' the . cigarette 'was constantly gaining wide- spread favor as the most popular form of tobacco use." 1, More Americans are 'livi4g 'longer today than ever before, with life expectancy higher for every age group. 'phe average length of life in the U: S. has risen trom ,about 47.years to nearly 70 years iu this century. .~; 2. Death rates from major lung ailments in 1900 were 700 percent higher than they are today, with lung cancer included. These rates have dropped from aliout430 deaths .. per 100,000 in 1900 to around ' 60 per 100,000 today. - ; ~' a 3. Since 1928, age-adjusted death rates for major heart diseases, ahich allow for more people living into older age brackets, have de- clined from over 500 per 100,000 p4pglation to sliahtllv ovtir 400 pr to our high standards of nutrition„ 100,000 today; and now are lower for helping to give us a longer, than at any ' other period in' this healthier life. ' . century. "Those who attack cigarettes by 4.,The average height and weight biaming tliem for all kinds of of young men have shown•a steady health problems seem to overrlook increase since 1900. The physical the fact that these health improve- measurements of freshmen record- ed at annual enrollments by one cigarette was cunstantly gaining wide- spread favor as the most popular form of tobacco use." But, Mr. Rag'land suspects, "Those who are against tobacco will probably continue to try to scare the life out of those who like to use tobacco - regard- less of the facts.'' This, we think, is for sure. The world being w-hat it is, we are not likely to find vegetarians endorsing beef 'steaks, nud- ists excited over the fall fabrics or hear any general chorus of assorted misan- thropes in a spirited rendition of "O~i What a Beautiful Morning" I But living is stili the best tkling to do with a Jife that we know of, major university have gone up more than two inches 'in helght and more than 20 pounds in weight since the turn of the century, "Those who are against tobacco _ will probably continue o to try to scare the life out, of,.those who. like to use tobacco --, regardless of the facts;" Mr. Rogland added. The pocket-sized, siz-page folder is being distributed by The Tobacco Inskitute, Inc., 910 Seveqteenth Street, N. W., Washington 8, D, c, The Institute Is an organizatiou of manufactuters of cigarettes, amol- ing tobacco, chewing tobacco and snuf'. . ' .