Philip Morris
Sukgeon General's Keport - Response
Fields
- Author
- Seligman, R.B.
- Type
- MEMO, MEMORANDUM
- OUTL, OUTLINE
- Area
- MEYER,LEO/OFFICE
- Site
- R32
- Named Person
- Hirayama
- Surgeon General
- White
- Froeb
- Cullman, H.
- Copied
- Gannon, W.F.
- Meyer, L.F.
- Osdene, T.S.
- Thomson
- Farone, W.A.
- Recipient
- Holtzman, A.
- Mcdowell, W.W.
- Pollack, S.P.
- Wakeham, H.
- Document File
- 1003658618/1003658671/Smoking and Health
- Characteristic
- CONF, CONFIDENTIAL
- Litigation
- Stmn/Produced
- Named Organization
- Ctr, Council for Tobacco Research
- Tac
- TI, Tobacco Inst
- Verband
- Who, World Health Org
- Master ID
- 1003658637/8644
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PH I LJ P N1ORR I S I MICORPORATED
INTE.R-OFFIiCE 00RRESP0NDE'N6E
Seligman
Surgeon Genera'1''s Report - Response
Iin a recent memo, Mr. IIi. Culiman called for
RI CHMONID, V IiR'61 N I A
~ ~ IiSOM1. & CONFIR171 II1L
PE
. Those Listed -: Date: February 12, 1981
and intramural activities.
strategies'. These approaches divide into exttr'amural
Research Center generated the fol!lowing plans and
report. To th'at end, the technical management of the
__ action plans to respond to the recent Surgeon General's
EXTRAMURAL
assertions arising, out of smoking and' healthistudi;es .
Despite the fact that there are potential legal risks
inidirectly supporting and publishing,studie's to expose
these ill-foundedassertions,.it is felt that we must
enter this arena. In fact, it may be too late al"ready
to reverse the ground swell of'public opinion which has
emerged as a result of'antismoking activity.
The Tobacc Institute has made a valiant attempt
to change public opinion, but they.have very little
published informationlupon which to rely to support
their efforts. Thus, proposedantismoking ordinances
have been attacked on the basis of'peripheral issues
rather than by confronting the basic scientific meritss
of the smoking and healthiassertions underlying these
proposed regulations. It would seem that the extant
approach is a delaying,tactic at best; - it is not a
strong advocate position. -
The tobacco industry constantly is placed on
the defensive and is forcedito take a relativelypassive
stance in responding to que'stionable (or unfounde4) -

t
.
February 12',, 1981
. Frequently, and with increasing'regularity, major
opinion that Philip Morris (or the-tobacco industry) take
considered approachi-to blunt these attacks. It is our '
antismoking campaigns are mounted -based on insufficient.
data. It is, therefore, vital that we take.a carefully
which refutes specific assertions by the antismoking forces.
a more ag,gressive posture to counterattack the antismoking
movement. We"re suggesting funding studies.(primarily ~
outside the United States) with the intent to publish data
Assuming this is an acceptable precept, we can
contemplate various levels of involvement: _
` 1)' Company Level --Controlled' a,nd' sponsoredby Philip Morris Incorporated. . Studies"
would.be conducted to deal with domestic
'
and international problems affecting thd
^
Corporation andits products. In all
probability, the studies would deal with
relatively short-term problems. A lower
level of funding is anticipated compared
to the other scenarios.
Little pro bono inidustry work would be
done but strategy.would be dictated by
intelligent corporate self-interest
and priorities.
Z) Industry Level.- Confined to the domestic '
industry"s problems but recognizing,the
affect ofadverse publications worldnvide.
At present, attempts to fulfill this
function rests with the Council for
Tobacco Research and the Tobacco.Irnstitute
but results have had relatively:lit'tle
impact.
These extant systems seem to lack a
mechanism for establishing pertinent
priorities and rapid response times..

Our proposed program would establish
a deoision.-making body to'circumvent
these deficiencies. Also, many of the
s studlies would be directed to overseas
laboratories.
International Industry Level - Attempts
.in individual .countries,.e.g., CTR, TAC,,
and the Verband unfortunately have tended
to respond to issues nationally rather
-than internationally. This becomes
increasingly ineffective when many of
the attacks now are coming from inter-
national bodies like WHO,, etc.
Response must be global in concept
becaus adverse reports from any ~
.country immediately have worldwide
impact (viz. ;, - Hirayama, Froeb/White,-
etc.). .Thus,, a major requirement
would be to establisha an international
order or priorities because of the
aforementioned synergistic anidinter-. active affect of' today's rapid'
communications.
.,
This level of involvement would be the
most difficult to implement due to the
diverse aims of' the large mainufacturers
who would have to lead this endeavor.
This is the most expensive alternate
in which one could envision establishing
a laboratory to deal with supranational
problems.
Some specific research suggestions follow.
Implementation would vary depending on the authority level
noted above.
l) Studies on human beings (see addendum
for details).

The affect of sidestream smoke on
experimental animals on a long-term.
basis. (See addendum for details.)
Repeat suspect or incomplete studies,
e.g., Froeb and White. Also, develop
experimental approaches for such
studies in animals.
Explore the positive effects off
smoking.
In the United States, establish aa
dialogue with the Surgeon General
.to determine a reasoned approach to
the question of additives. This may
be of particular importance in the
far distant future when we may
contemplate the use of'other
nicotinoids or no,n-nicotinoids as
flavorants, etc.
INTRAMURAL
There are a number of programs which are in
progress at the Research Center which address issues
mentioned'by the Surgeon General.* These are delineated
below along with several new, proposals:
1) Continue developing products which
are of low biological potential.
Lowering tar levels for all
existing brands and producing,
new brands in the ultra low_
tar category.
Complete major CO-reduction
programs for all existing
brands, plus research into
CO control via chemical,
thermal, and microbial
manipulation of the tobacco.

Those IListed J -5- February 12, 1981
Continued research to control
.gas phase smoke (i.e.,
denitrification of` tobacco to
control NO in mainstream
'smoke x
Initiate sidestream smoke
investigations to id'entify
and control components. This
is particularly germane
because of'the general public's
antagonism toward smoking
caused!by the nonsmoker issue.
'' Room aroma/odor are part of'f
these investigations.
2) Develop a product with low ignition
propensity aind' develop methodology to
evaluate suchiproducts.
Explore and define the action of nicotine
in the humani, and if possible, optimize
products utilizing,this knowledge. .
Develop an effective screening system for
all new additives and prepare documentation
to support this.
Conduct selective experiments on specific
problems and be willing to publish these
results in order to counter adverse external
research. (Atmospheric monitoring, of gases,
wYiichison-going, is an exampleofthis .).
In conclusion, let us say that we are mindful of
the potential risks inherent in conducting the proposed
extramural studies. Perhaps, as scientists, our view of
risk/benefit has been distorted by trying to do battle
without armament. We feel, however, that tbe thrust of
our antagonists' position has been refocused to the non-
smoker. Perhaps we should reassess our own rislt/reward
posture in this light. -
D
0

February 12, 1981
Mr. W. W. McDowell
Mr. S. P. Pollack
Dr. H. Wa,kebam
Mr. A. Holtzmann
cc : Dr. W. A. 'Farone
Dr. W. F. Gannon
Mr. L. 'F. Meyer
Dr. T. S. Osdene
Mr. R. N. Thomson
