Tobacco Documents Online

WE 0 0 9 ® f- 3fi 3. • la- : TOBACCO INDUSTRY RESEARCH COIWAffTTEE' NEW DIRECTION FOR TOBACCO-HEALTNRESEARCH IN '61, SAYS CHAIRMAN OF TOBACCO INDUSTRY RESEARCH CONRMITTEE During 1961, new directioniand emphasis will be given to research ~ It is apparent, from research sponsored by the Tobacco Industry on tobacco and health, especially the alleged relationship between smoking ResearchiCommittee, and by others, that both cancer and heart disease involve complex chains of causation that are little understood. Future research will be concentrated~on trying to determine ,just how these diseases originate. This knowledge should enable science`to be, for example, that smoking merely reflects a type of person who is prone to cancer or heart disease. (more) determine what part, if any, smoking plays in these diseases. It may It is interesting to observe that the research done by other organizations and individuals also seems to be taking on this new . approach~. For years, research sponsored by TIRC, and by others, has concentrated on trying to determine whether direct contact with tobacco smoke could cause cancer, particularly lung cancer. Hundreds of biological - and chemical tests have been undertaken. TIRC grantees alone have tried a score of different methods, and many tests of each method.

The Scientific Director of the TIRC, Dr. Clarence Cook Little, both clinical and ex erimental has failed ~ orts that this research re , p , -. p to show that lung cancer can be caused by contact with tobacco smoke. ~~-:.~... i ~ . . ~ .... . ' . . . ~.. , . . - .., . ,. . . .. .', f., ~ Slowly accumulating research points to the need for a new emphasis or direction. ;:.body of evidence, much of it by other research groups, suggests that mysterious viruses may play a key role in cancer. It is important to get cancer, heart disease and ulcers because of their constitutional many other studies suggest that some persons may be more likely to generally lived at a faster pace than non-smokers. This research and ; physiological and psychological. One recent study found that smokers During the coming year, Dr. Little tells me 1. The possible role of viruses as a cause of cancer. A growing . Constitutional differences between smokers and non-smokers. Research shows marked differences between smokers and non-smokers, both makeup. This could mean that smoking habits and certain diseases are characteristic of a type of person, both reflecting underlying con- 3. The possible role of previous infections (such as tuberculosis) in causing lung cancer. Accumulating research is finding that the scars left by tubercular infections or other lung damage may in later years become the site of lung cancer. 4. Air pollution as a possible factor in lung cancer and other respiratory and cardiovascular ailments. There is a growing study in this area by a number of noted scientists. (more) amount of

P'S ~ While there is no proof that any one of these is a cause of cancera ~ 1'` . ~ The one fact that is abundantly clear from the research done -- 'throughout the world is this : While science has learned a great deal, ~ 'the basic causes of lung cancer -- and heart disease -- are e not known. a r exposure to occupational hazards and i'umes from motor fuels. 'Other areas receiving increased attention are poor nutrition, 1 'there are hund ed of t di ti th l l h } r s u s es sugges ng ey may p aya ro e. T ey are U ma~or fields in which scientists who are seeking the causes of cancer .i 4.~ ~~!' ' ~~` ~'r.f~` 9~Kr~'(~Hlly~yE.;, will concentrate in the coming years ,i 3i Much more research is needed. : -; As we enter the eighth year of operation of the TIRC, we rededicate ~ ourselves to the goal of providing financial support for independent scientists seeking to learn what effects, if any, tobacco use may have. ~ . . . ,.. . . . . , . . . . . . . . _ .. . .. . .,.. , .,, on human health. The evidence to date, from research here and abroad, In 1960, the TIRC increased its annual appropriation for research (•r t ~L4 ~e }a r Iwf..~' ....~ seems to throw doubt on the charges that tobacco smoking is a major cause of" lung cancer. Nor is there any clinical or laboratory evidence that smoking causes heart trouble. F f u .t; ... . . ._. . . . , . by $300,000 to $800,000 -- this amount will again be allotted for grants in 1961. Research funds through 1960 totaled $4 million. Some 105 scientists in hospitals, medical colleges and research laboratories throughout the country have received grants-in-aid from the Scientific Advisory Board to the TIRC, which determines the research program. These scientists have published more than 135 reports on their research, contributing valuable knowledge to the medical and scientific fields. ,~:_-: :., ..a.:f .t :.~ ~ \A