Tobacco Documents Online

Memorandum Re: BAT Science

Abstract

A number of projects are identified from among the studies being conducted at the laboratories of affiliated companies in different countries from which B&W will recieve concise reports despite the risk that such reports may serve as road maps for plaintiffs' lawyers due to RD&E's interest.

Fields

Recipient

Pepples, Ernest, J.D. (BW General Counsel and Sr. VP)

Type

Medmorandum

Author

Wells, John Kendrick, III (BW, Assistant General Counsel)

In a 1/17/85 memo, BWT corporate counsel J. Kendrick Wells said he had advised Earl Kornhorst, BWT's VP for research, development and engineering, on the need to prune scientific reports from his files. Wells marked certain reports with an X to designate those that were "deadwood in the behavioral and biological studies area". The Janus studies--secret program of biological research on the effects of smoking which showed tumor growth in animals--should be treated as "deadwood". These documents should be segregated, boxed and put in the basement for possible shipment to BAT Industries in England, but no one "should make any notes, memos or lists of the documents" (LAT 8/2/94).

Named Organization

B.A.T. Industries PLC (BAT)

British American Tobacco Industry, parent company of Brown & Williamson Tobacco Co. in the U.S.

Named Person

Kohnhorst, Earl E. (BW President of US Business)

Earl E. Kohnhorst was the Director of Research for Brown & Williamson. (PMI's Introduction to Privilege Log and Glossary of Names, Estate of Burl Butler v. PMI, et al, April 19, 1996). In 1994, Kohnhorst was Executive vice president and chief operating officer of Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp. (LAT 8/2/94). He was also vice president for research, development and engineering, BWT in 1985. (LAT 8/2/94). In a 1/17/85 memo, BWT Corporate Counsel J. Kendrick Wells said he had advised Earl Kornhorst, BWT's VP for research, development and engineering, on the need to prune scientific reports from his files. Wells marked certain reports with an X to designate those that were Deadwood in the behavioral and biological studies area. The Janus studies, secret program of biological research on the effects of smoking which showed tumor growth in animals, should be treated as deadwood. These documents should be segregated, boxed and put in the basement for possible shipment to BAT Industries in England, but no one should make any notes, memos or lists of the documents (LAT 8/2/94). Kohnhorst wrote a 4/26/85 letter re: carbon monoxide . It mentions development of Fact cigarette prototype which was designed to deliver low carbon monoxide. It describes shredded dried stems process which results in carbon monoxide reduction (E. Kohnhorst LT 4/26/85).

Esterle, J. Gilbert (B&W Research, Development & Environ. Dept.)

J. Gilbert (Gil) Esterle worked for B&W in the RD&E Department. He was involved with Cigarette Evaluation & Design and Filter & Cigarette Design in 1964. He was Manager of Research & Development in 1977 and Manager of Chemistry & Development from 1970-76. Esterle was Department Head of Scientific Liaison from 1987-88, Department Head of External Technical Services from 1985-87, and International & External Technical Services Department from 1979-85. He was also Section Leader of Chemistry from 1966-69, and Chairman of ALEPH Foundation in Southampton in 1987-88. Gilbert Esterle was a Brown & Williamson scientist. (PMI's Introduction to Privilege Log and Glossary of Names, Estate of Burl Butler v. PMI, et al, April 19, 1996) Esterle is knowledgeable regarding document destruction. He met with Wells to discuss Deadwood. (Source: Multi-State Deposition Team - Identified Individuals May 9, 1997)

Gordon, David L. (BW RD&E Project Planning Manager 1985)

Defense

Date Loaded

08 Jan 2003