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F.T.R. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CH - 2003 NEUCHATEL / SWITZERLAND INTER - OFFICE CORRESPONDENCE To: The file Date: March 21, 1990 From: M. Speckj~~+c~; Doc name: \MEM\META2.PV Subject: META MEETING - COLOGNE, MARCH 15-16, 1990 copy to: MCB / WAF Participants : H. Dymond (BAT), E. Cumming (Rothmans), D. Rowland (Rothmans), D. McKenzie (Gallaher), F. Kriill (RJR), I. Marcovitch (PME), M. Speck (PME) March 16 : R. Allen (Infotab), R. Davies (BAT), J. Bevan (Rothmans) On the first day the main topic was the draft of a letter to be written by HFD to Badr Al-Saad regarding the open questions of a previous letter and discussed in Rome on January 22, 1990. On the second day mainly the concept of a paper regarding MCL's was discussed. HFD went briefly through the minutes of the META board meeting of Feb. 7, 1990. PM was represented by Mr. T. MacLoed. Brown and Williamson joined again META. R. Allen from Infotab was named "Director for the Middle East°' and will act as secretary to META. He has a background as journalist, worked in the Middle East and has therefore good contacts in this region. The minutes were not distributed except the Scientific matters (see enclosure). With regard to T/N levels in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region it was decided : 1) each company should send' to HFD as soon as possible a list of 1he?rown brands sold in this region with the printed and measured T/N values (most recent results); 2) if possible a list of brands sold by non META members 3) non META brands should be purchased in Saudi Arabia and Gulf region probably by R. Allen when he is visiting the agencies there; 4) non META brands have to be analysed, primarily BAT, Rothmans, Gallaher, if necessary, too many brands, RJR and PM too.

d+ k 2 F. Cumming presented an offer from Borgwaldt for a conditioning cabinet for SASO. Price approx. 13'000.- DM. The draft of HFD's letter to Badr Al-Saad was discussed in detail. Several moifications were proposed and made and re-discussed with R. Davies, D. Bevan and R. Allen. Since the letter was found too scientific, HFD will send it as a document together with a cover letter (see enclosure). The letter to Badr Al-Saad should be discussed with him. Therefore HFD and probably MCB should travel to Saudi Arabia at the beginning of May. With regard to MCL's there was the general opinion that authorities in the Gulf region are in the belief that reducing MCL's brings people to the point that they stop smoking. It may be that the WHO influences the Health Minister (J. Bevan). To find out more details a paper should be prepared which could serve as a mean to discuss MCL's with specific persons. Dr. Khatib from Bahrain could be such a person since he seems to have also scientific interest. A draft should be prepared by HFD, D. Rowland and D. McKenzie until beginning of May and be sent to META members. Content of the paper :- General marketing introduction - The problem of compensation - Possibility for RYO, smuggling and break off of filter - Experiences made in Finland with low MCL's - Interest of industry to produce best possible product The possibility also was envisaged to establish a kind of "Club" of scientists of this region which could be a body with whom the industry could exchange scientific information. However, as R. Davies pointed out it may become an~ expensive exercise and difficult to handle. The manufacturers of RYO, cigars and~ pipe tobacco mentioned the possibility that there might be a need to print figures for these products. The next META scientists meeting will take place in Neuchatel at the end of May or in June (event. 19th), and will be organised by PME.