Tobacco Documents Online

ATION,AL INSTITID'IM FOR RATIONAL RISIC' POLICIES Objectives: The Institute''s objective will be to promote rational discussion of how societies can best set policy priorities andi design policy initiatives to manage the endless variety of' risks inherent in the moderm world. A great deal of science exists and continues to emerge on risk issues, risk measurement, risk assessments and risk management, but much of this science is either unavailable or imcomprehensible to the media and goverment decision-makers, or it is vastly distorted by the: emotionality of risk issues when they are: defined by proponents of special causes and'concerns.. The Institute will attempt to~ gather science on key subjects such as environmental health risks, indoor air quality,, additives and residues in food, etc, and communicate scientific evidence in a framework which is conductive to rational decision making. Activities of the Institute willl include sponsorship of seminars andi conferences, issuance of publications, monographs and backgrounders, and the hosting of meetings and forums where scientists, policy makers, and when appropriate, the media, can meet to explore the rational use of science in policy-making onirisk issues.. Structure: The Institute will be governed by a Director General, and will have! a, Board of Scientific Advisors consisting of scientists, toxicologists, social scientists, engineers and academics. The Director General, in consultation with the Board of Scientific Advisors, will determine:the subject and programmes of the Institute. An initial programme will focus on the environmental and health issue of indoor air quality.