Product Design
Physiological Effects of Smoking
Abstract
Memo encouraging research demonstrating that filters not only decrease tar and nicotine, but also show significant physiological benefits to the smoker. Tests proposed are smoke perception tests that would measure decrease in degree of distastefulness or irritation, and smoke symptom tests that would show no change in skin temperature or blood pressure.
Fields
- Author
- MACE, C.V.
- Hypothesis
- Health effectsDesign changes which have measurably altered health effects of cigarette smoke, both for smokers and nonsmokers.
- Use of filters, paper, and ventilationModification of tobacco products through use of filters, paper, and ventilation, and measuring effects on dependence, behavior, and toxicity.
- Smoking psychology and behavior
- Behavior TargetingCigarette's effect of enhancing/mitigating specific behaviors
- Keyword
- FTC ruling - 1960
- Physiological effects
- Named Organization
- AMERICAN MEN OF SCIENCE
- FTC, Federal Trade Commission
- UNIV OF MIAMI
- UNIV OF MN
- Subject
- Filters (Design)
- health effects
- Irritation (Effects)
- Pharmacology (Effects)
- Smoke Nicotine (Measures)
- Effects—Smoking Behavior (Effects)
Document Images
PHILIP MORRIS INCORPORATED
INTER-OFFICE CORRESPONDENCE
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA
To: . Dr. H. Wakeham
From: C. V. Mace
Subject: Physiological Effects of Smoking
Date: February 22, 1960
Now that the F.T.C. and the tobacco industry have agreed
to surpress all cigarette advertising in which it is claimed
that a brand has a more efficient filter, delivers less tar or
nicotine and soforth based on statistical significance unless
the changes can be shown to have a physiological significance
with respect to the smoker, I think we should proceed as rapidly
as we can to develop a cigarette which can be shown to be dif-
ferent from our previous models or from those of our competitors
in the physiological sense.
Since it is probable that numerous difinitions could be
alluded to when speaking of physiological significance, I think
we should get some help on it. Probably the best way would be
to retain an experienced consultant in the field of physiology
and psychology. I am not too familiar with Deichman at the
University of Miami, perhaps he will do; but I think we should
also consider Dr. W. G. Kubicek, Professor of Physical Medicine
and Rehabilitation at the University of Minnesota Medical School.
It is r;y understanding that he is a former student of Dr. M. B.
Visscher, a foremost authority on physiology. I think we should
consider inviting him in to talk over the kind of program~we
have in mind. Attached hereto are several of his publications
which will give you an idea of his work. He has a nice write-up
in the American Men of Science.
In connection with the program it seems to me we should
follow some of the leads already developed by Bill Danker over
the past year. Bill reports that there is a good chance that
we could show that the decreases iri+acrolein, isoprene, and
acetaldehyde in the smoke resulting from the use of the carbon
plug are physiolog3;cally significant. We might be able to
demonstrate this.by means of smoke perception and smoke symptom
tests on the smoker. Let me explain.
The smoke perception tests would have to show that the
carbon filter reduces by a significant degree the dystastefulness
and/or the irritating quality of the gas phase smoke perceived
by the smoker; and we would have to get the F.T.C. to accept our
conclusion that this is a physiologically significant change in
the broad sense. The smoke symptom tests would show that the
hi-fi filter or the denicotinizedfiller does not reduce the skin
temperature or increase the blood pressure (resulting fr=con-
strictionof blood vessels) which arises when the human body
absorbs nicotine from smoking a standard cigarette. Because of

j
Dr. H. Wakeham -2-
should be able to advise what the chances are that we could get
the F.T.C. to acknowledge these as physiologically significant
February 22, 1960
the absence of these symptoms we would have to get F.T.C. to
accept our conclusion that this also is a physiologically signif-
icant change, but in the narrow sense. A consulting physiologist
changes.
to the smoker, then I think we should go after this right away.
we can show that it is physiologically significant with respect :
the board, and for that matter eliminating altogether any specific
ingredient, will not suffice with the present F.T.C. ruling unless
Inasmuch as lowering the tar and nicotine numbers across
I would like to have your comments.
CVM/nl
cc: Dr. R. B. Seligman
Dr. L. S. Harrow
Mr. W. H. Danker
