Tobacco Documents Online

F r PHILIP MORRIS IM~OO~o.10N'.A TED, ~ 190 PA~RK AVENUE.,NEW~YORK.N.Y., 100 17 I TOSEPHF. C LTLL1fAN, 3RD CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD Apri129; 1970 r ~ I 1 I l I I I I- F ~ I- Mr. William B. Lewis; Chairman of the Board American Cancer Society 219 East 42nd Street New York, New York 10017 Dear Mr. Lewis; Your letter ofApril 17'st'at'es that the American CancerSocietyisunwilling to permit'animpartial review of'~ the Auerbach-Hammond data by "any selected committee chosen by the Tobaceo Institute, or any other group:" You say our request'~ "is without precedent in the scientific community:" I submit that the Cancer Society's exploitation of this unpublished work for publicitypurposes is truly without precedent in~the scientific community. Through its use of publicity techniques rather than the usual scientific channels, it is the Cancer Society-not the tobacco industry-which, contrary to the tradi'tions of American science, has projected'~this study into the arena of public discussion. Furthermore„ in the scientific community, expert review panels are often convened to review important questions which depend upon the interpretation of'~ research results: You claim pathologists have visited Dr. Auerbach's laborat'ory,,seen his slldes and praised the work. Why, then, do you refuse to permit an impart'ial review by distinguished scientists, especially in view of your claim that thiswork is of great significance to the smokingpubllc and t'he tobacco: industry? As you say, Doctors Auerbach and Hammond worked wi'th fundsfurnished by the federal'govern- ment and'the American Cancer Society. Since these are funds derived from public sources, the public is entitled to a f'ull and fair account of the results. The American Cancer Society cannot presume to be the sole custodian and interpreter of the work. You stated that these scientists"are beholden~onlyto the scientific communit'y at large and to the integrity it represents." But the American Cancer Society, an organization supported by public donations, is certainly also "beholden" to its contributors and to the public at' large to provide complete information about the research which it finances, especially in view of the fact that you have released news of the study to thepublic media. When the Society is questioned'about it's interpretatior.s of such~~research, it should'~feelia responsibility to disclose the data which, it alleges, support its interpret'ations. You suggest that the way to resolve any doubts about the study is to have another research organieation repeat the work-which you say, was conducted over a period of three and al half years. This suggestion overlooks the fact that the American Cancer Society has called 'upon the tobacco industry to reasses its policiesin lightof thepresent findings. Ifthis, is theSociety's position; it should not expect or want the cigarette industry to go through three and a half years of research tb determine answers whieh the Cancer Society asserts are available today. In view of the American Cancer Society's position, we are proceeding to bring this matter to the attention of thepublic: Yours very truly; ""r.` Chairmanof the Executive Committee F. Cullman 3rd , Joseph 1The Tobacco Institute, Inc. = ~ ~-