Tobacco Documents Online

TriE TOBACCO INSTITUTE, INC. MINUTES OF THE NINETEENTH MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE The nineteenth meeting of the Executive Committee of The Tobacco Institute, Inc., was held at 9:30 A.M. on July 9, 1963, at the Institute's offices, 808 Seventeenth Street, N.W., Washington, D. C. The following members of the Execu- tive Committee were present: Messrs..Bowman Gray, Chairman Morgan J. Cramer Joseph F. Cullman, 3rd william S. Cutchins Zach Toms Robert B. Walker There were also present Mr. W. Brooks George of Larus & Brother Company, Inc.; Mr. Robert K. Heimann of The American Tobacco Company; Mr. Cyril F. Hets;co, of counsel to The American Tobacco Company; Mr. Charles B. Wade, Jr., of R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company; Mr. Edwin P. Finch and Mr. Addison Yeaman of Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation; Mr. J. Edgar Bennett of P. Lorillard Company, Inc.; Mr. James C.-Bowling of Philip Morris incorporated.; Mr. Dan E. Provost, III, of Liggett & Myers Tobacco Company; Mr. George V. Allen, Pres- ident and Executive Director of the Institute; Dr. Frank J. Welch, Executive Vice.President of the Institute; Mr. Edward F. Ragland, Vice President and Secretary of the Insti- tute; Mr. Richard W. Darrow, Mr. Carl Thompson and Mr. Edward H. DeHart of Hill and Knowlton, Inc.; and Mr. Stanley L. Temko, of counsel to the Institute. Mr..Gray presided at the meeting and Mr. Temko acted as secretary and recorded the minutes. Chairman Gray opened the discussion by reference to the considerable attention given by the public press to the report of the action of individual companies relating to curtailment'of college promotional programs and to articles speculating on the possible development by the Institute of advertising guides. There was discussion of public reaction to such reports in the press and consideration of whether

3 In view of the amount of publicity and speculation expected to attend any announcement bearing on cigarette advertising or promotion, it was suggested by several mem- bers that President Allen's announcement should be the only statement of the Institute's activity and that none of the members should speak to the press with respect to the Insti- tute's decisions. It was of course recognized, however, that any press inquiry relative to the decisions or policies of an individual company was peculiarly a matter for:the partic- ular company concerned rather than for the Institute. Mr. Allen, after consultation with Mr. Darrow and others, stated that his statement would be released at about 3:30 that afternoon. There then ensued discussion of the continued appear- ance in the press of repetitious anti-tobacco charges, and the view was expressed that to many members of the public these repetitions of old charges against tobacco were not recognized as such, but were possibly accepted as new mater- ial supporting those who have attacked tobacco. The question • was considered whether any steps could be taken by the Insti- tute to correct misconceptions that probably resulted from some of the activities of groups which were attacking the use of tobacco as, for example, the possible use by the Insti- tute of ads in newspapers or other media, which would present facts relating to tobacco and health and correct some of the distortions and misconceptions which may have arisen. The consensus was that the Public Relations Committee should be directed to consider and submit to the Executive Committee recommendations as to steps that might-be taken in this area. There being no further business, the meeting was thereupon adjourned. Ls/ Stanley L. Temko N Acting Secretary N . N