Tobacco Documents Online

Lorillard document of Chilcote speech discussing the public smoking issue as a "weak" issue promulgated by nonexistent science. Describes how the Institute's four spokesmen reach 40 million people. Discusses Institute public relations campaigns capable of "overshadowing Dr. Weis" (an anti-industry scientist) as an issues management strategy. Similarly, in the area of fire safety he notes we are moving quickly with fire safety programs to preempt the "self-extinguishing" cigarette battles in at least 13 states in 1987. Discusses consultant's study in Europe and concludes that "European Firefighters feel that 'self-extinguishing' cigarettes make no sense." Discusses grant to The Foundation for Fire Safety intended to fund research and describes TI request for another funding solicitation to deal with projects smoke detector projects. Describes grassroots lobbying efforts to combat fire safety issue. Mentions how TI expects returns from giving campaign contricutions. Concludes by discussing cursorily national issue management efforts on excise taxes and proposition movements.

Discusses the smoking and health controversy and the current competition the tobacco industry is facing from companies in other industries who are researching and marketing synthetic, non-tobacco cigarettes. Challenges the safety and effectiveness of the materials being used in non-tobacco cigarettes. Queries as to whether these new cigarettes are any safer than tobacco cigarettes, noting that they "'present unknown and possibly entirely new potential hazards.'" Notes that a non-tobacco cigarette may very well be "the hoax of the century."

Memo from R.B. Seligman saying that he recently discussed the subject of self-extinguishing cigarettes with CEO Hugh Cullman, who felt it "would be prudent" for PM to have a program underway to investigate a self-extinguishing cigarette. Seligman says "we have agreed to discuss our findings with [company lawyer] Alex Holtzman before going any further."

Telex about a UPI article that said the National Safety Council, "citing sensitive conditions in the tobacco industry, has refused to support development of a self-extinguishing cigarette designed to prevent accidental fires." Says the National Association of Furniture Manufacturers asked the CPSC to require such a cigarette be developed to stop fires in upholstered furniture and help it meet requirements for more fire-resistant fabrics. States the CPSA it "uncovered some serious sensitivities about doing anything that might upset a rather delicate balance that now seems to exist in the tobacco industry," and that the "potential adverse consequences on both sides of this issue slightly favor our remaining silent." The furniture group told the Council that a cigarette which burns out if not puffed on could "stop 97% of the fires started by carelessly dropped cigarettes" and said such a product would "save thousands of lives and millions of dollars." Says the tobacco industry believes a self-extinguishing cigarette is not possible from a practical standpoint.

After reading goverment publications, author writes that it appears that the cigarette is indeed one of the major ignition sources for fires in homes. As a result, author has initiated the preparation of cigarette samples in an attempt to demonstrate that long static burning times can be obtained. Other topics of the memo included: Water Expansion, Post Expansion Heat Treating, Denitration, TFP Australia, Improved Cylinder Volume Plunger, Project Batana, and Project Monique.

Memo is a cover letter to Sadye Dunn of the Consumer Product Safety Commission describing the enclosed attachments. The attachments are an Athur D. Little study on the feasability of the self-extinguishing cigarette and research on all patents having to do with self extinguishing cigarettes.

A note discussing patents issued to other parties for a self-extinguishing cigarette, and how those patents proposed to achieve this design.

Document presents findings of testing on colite treated cigarettes. Testing shows colite treated cigarettes extinguish between 30 seconds and 2 minutes. Regular cigarettes vary in igntion time between no extinguishment and 30 minutes.

1961 patent for a self-extinguishing cigarette by Frank C. Guida of Massachusetts.

An April 30, 1935 patent for a self-extinguishing cigarette filed by private person Maurice Weinberger of the "Self-Extinguishing Cigarette Corporation" in New York.