Tobacco Documents Online

l The Star Press Salurd~,y, March 14, 1998 Tobacco-finn sdentist: WHO study showed no correlation By DAVID PENTICUFF The $,ta,~ Pioss MtINCIE -- In spite of contrary claims by the World Health Organization. a sclenllst for Brown & Williamson Tobacco Co. testified Fri- day that the London-based health group &fled to show a llnk bflween second-hand smoke and lung cancer. Scott Applclon. director of scientific and reg- ulatory allalrs lot the tobacco company. Iold Jurors In the local second-hand smoke Idol that the recent WHO population study failed to show a significant correlation between cancer and environmental tobacco smoke. "It was one of the largest studies that has ever been conducled In the world." said Appleton. Under questioning by plaintiffs atlorney Ron Motley. Appleton read a WHO report on the study that said second-hand smoke was a likely cause of cancer. WItO maintains that the study shows spouses of smokers have a 16 percent greater chance of developing lung cancer. Brown & Wdllamson Issued a press release this week claiming the study was "good news for smokers and non-smokers" and co,dinned that being around a smoker Is not a lung tran- cer risk. WiiO officials said cigarette companies were trylng to put a favorable spin on the evidence before it was olflclally released. Motley" also discussed another report released by the Department of llealth for Great Britain this week that did conclude ETS [] Updates on this story will be on PressLine during trial days. Call 289-2511 and enter category 1202. Coverage will " also be available by midnight each night of the trial on our Internet site, www.thestarpress.com Trial Continued Item Page 1A caused cancer. "Wherever possible, smoking should not be permitted In the workplace." the British study found. The Department of Health In Great Britain Is similar to the Surgeon Generals office In the United States. "Passive sraolang Is a cause of lung cancer and childhood res- ~olratory dtsease," the report und. "Restrictions on smotcdng In public places and work places Is necessary to protect nohsmokers." The report found that people with long-term exposure to envl- ronmental tobacco smoke suffer a 20 percent to 30 percent Increase in risk for lung cancer. Morley's client. Philip Wiley, maintains that second-hand smoke caused his wife's fatal lung cancer. Mildred Wiley died In 1991. P.hlllp Wiley filed a law- sult..agaln~t all the-major tobacco companies. Motley read Internal company" documents to Appleton and Jurors that showed attorneys for Brown & Wflllamson and execu- tives discussing the ere.All.Ion of controversy over the health effects of second-hand smoke. Appleton testified that lawyers had written sclentllle documents for him but that he always had final approval.. . 00[#6~90E Because olposslble lltlgatlon. la,.~/ers urged company scien- tists to he careful and not to speculate when writing about tobacco and health. Motley' read a document that quoted a sales official with Brown & Wllllamson expressIng concern over the laws that limit pub.lie smoking, if new laws caused customers to smoke one less cigarette a day, Mol~ley read, It would cost the Industry $500 million a year. Appleton also testified that all additives found in cigarettes were on the Ils[ of substances generally" accepted as being sale by the U.S. Food and Drug administration. But he also said Brown & WII-