Tobacco Products Liability Project
Topic: Awareness of Claimed Hazard/Danger (Company)
Abstract
Compiles excerpts from press releases, Congressional hearings, and depositions from Green v. AT (1959), Zagurski (1967), and Kraft (1973). Argues that there is no clinical or biological evidence that cigarettes cause disease, particularly lung cancer.
Fields
- Named Organization
- American Tobacco (AT)
- The American Tobacco Company
- Tobacco Industry Research Committee (TIRC)
- N.Y. Herald Tribune
- American Heart Association
- The American Cancer Society
- National Institute of Cancer
- National Heart Institute
- Public Health Service
- Journal of the American Medical Association
- Committee of Interstate and Foreign Commerce
- Senate
- Surgeon General's Advisory Committee
- The New York Times
- The American Tobacco Company
- Named Person
- Levitt
- Hanmer, H.R.
- Lavic
- Walker
- Hahn, Paul M.
- Haag, Harvey B.
- Green
- Hammond
- Horn
- Auerbach
- Heller
- Burney
- Doll
- Hill
- Hastings
- Harlan, William R.
- Bowden, Alfred F.
- Hockett, Robert C.
- Wynder
- Graham
- Ochsner, Alton
- Gray, Bowman
- Allen, George V.
- Zagurski
- Heimann, Robert K.
- Hager, Virgil
- Cullman, Joseph P., III
- King James I
- Kraft
- Kornegay, Horace
- Judge, Curtis
- Hanmer, H.R.
- Type
- outline
- press release
- compilation
- deposition
- press release
- Date Loaded
- 08 Jan 2003
Document Images
Subject to Claims of Privilege and Coufidentlality:
Produced Pursuaat to (~ourt Orders in State ofMianesot~ e¢ al. v. Philip IV[orris, et al.

Topic :
AWA.~ENESS OF CLAI.~ED
HAZARD/DANGER (COMgANY)-
1954 Annual Repot: at 6-7 (Levitt draft composite at
19):
2. The scientific community, the press, and other
media of 9ublic information, as well as people who enjoy
smoking, have begun to recognize that the tobacco indus-
try is honest in its approach to the health question
and that it seeks an impartial, objective answer.
Press ~elease: "~nerican Tobacco Scientist Discloses
Facts Behind Tareyton Filter," Dr. ~. ~. Hanmer (3/12/64)
a: !:
"Let me make it clear," Dr. Hanmer said, "that we do not
make health claims for Tareyton or fof~any other of our
brands. At the ssme time, we believe the public is
entitled to know the facts behind Tareyton, the first
cigarette with an activate4 charcoal filter."
Press R~lease, "AT~eports Anticigmrette CMarges," Lavic/
Walker (4/20/67[?]) at i:
"The Cigarette Controversy," a booklet presenting eight
unresolved ~uestions on the anticigarette theory, is
being mailed to more than 140,000 stockholders of The
~erican Tobacco Company.
The study reviews research done oven the last fifteen
years and concludes that, in the absence of medical
evidence, "the question is still an open one."
4. ~ress Release, "AT Co.," (11/26/53) at=l:
Paul M. Hahn, President of The American Tobacco Company,
took issue today with what he called loose talk on the
subject of smoking in relation to lung cancer. Stating
that the public should be reassured on the subject of
smoking and health, he pointed out that no one has yet
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proved that lung cancer in any h=~an being is directly
traceable to tobacco or to its products in any form.
Mr. Rahn's statement, the first of its kind by any Amer-
ican cigarette manufacturer, was made in answer to in-
quiries as to what the company is doing to meet the
apparent concern of smokers about the effects of ciga-
rette smoking on health.
Mr. Hahn's statement was as follows:
"Believing as we do that cigarette smoking is not
injurious to health, I feel that a statement of
reassurance to the public should be made.
"What the public wants to know about is whether
it is true that smoking has been proved to contrib-
ute to the incidence of lung cancer. The fact,
of course, is that it has not bee% so proved."
5. "A Yrank Statement to Cigarette Smokers," TIRC Paid
Ad in N.Y. Herald Tribune (1/4/54} at x:
KECZNT RZPORTS on experiments with mice have given wide
publicfty to a the6~y that ~igaret~e smoking is in some
way linked with lung cancer in human beings.
Although conducted by doctors of professional stand-
ing, these experiments are not regarded as conclusive in
the field of cancer research. However, we do not believe
that any serious medical research, even though its
sults are inconclusive shoul~, be disregarded or lightly
dismissed.
At the same time, we feel it is in the public inte-
rest to call attention to the fact that eminent doctors
and research scientists have publicly questioned the
claimed significance of these experiments.
Distinguished authorities point out:
i. That medical research of recent years indicates
many possible causes of lung cancer.
2. That there is no agreement among the authorities
regarding what the cause is.
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3. That there is no proof that cigarette smoking
is one of the causes.
4. That statistics purporting to link cigarette
smoking with the disease could apply with equal force
to any one of many other aspects of modern life. Indeed
the validity of the statistics themselves is questions
by n~erous scientists.
we accept an interest in people's health as a basic
responsibility, parazount to every other consideration
in our business.
~e believe the products we make are not injurious
to health.
Xe always have and always will cooperate closely
with those whose tas< it is to safeguard the public
health.
Regardless of the record of the past, the fact
that cigarette smoking today should even be suspected as
a cause of serious disease is a matter of deep concern
to us.
Deposition of Dr. Harvey B. Raag in Green v. A__T (10/31/59)
at 19, 19A, 20, 24, 25, 27, 28:
Q From time to time would you tell us whether or
not you have seen in the scientific literature claims
that there is a relationship between smoking and the.
development of lung cancer?
t • •
A Yes, si:;-I have.
Q Rave you called the attention of any of the
sonnel of American Tobacco Company to this literature at
any time you have seen it?
Subject to Claims of Privilege and Confidentiality:
Produced Pursuant to Court Orders in State ofMinnesota~ et aL v. Philip Morris, et al.

A I might have; I might have easily done that.
Q I mean, do you believe that you have or have
not?
A Well, I know in one case, for instance, we wrote
a paper bearing on this matter, of cancer of the lung
in the workers of the cigarette factories, in which
Mr. ~a~er collaborated.
Q Before that had any literature been called to
their attention by you, or had you discussed the fact
that there was scientific literature that at least al-
leged that there was a relationship?
A Yes. We had talked, naturally, through the
yea:s about the various health allegations brought
against smoking, so this would fall in-:that general
area. Not only cancer allegations but other things.
Q Let me go back now. When to the best of your
recollection did you first have, if you had, any discus-
sions with personnel, Mr. Hanmer, or anyone else, with
respect to the possible relationship of smoking and
cancer?- -- -
A Well, I became a consultant wi~h the Company
some twenty-five years ago, or more, I mean approxi-
mately that. And so it could have been around that
time.
Q And since that period of time you have had o:her
discussions with respect to whether it does or does.no:
have any relationship, have you not?
A We talk frequently about many of the problems
that come up with respect to questions involving ciga-
rette smoking and health.
Q I want to, if I may, specifically limit this
to smoking, that is the possible relationship of smoking
and cancer. You have discussed-that with them?
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A Oh, sure. I mean as the literature has indi-
cated.
O Doctor, let me just ask you if you are familiar
with, or have read, or have heard o~ some of the scien-
tific studies? Are you familiar with the studies of Ham-
mond and ~orn, with respect to I believe it was 180,000
people who were followed up, and who are presently liv-
ing --
A I am familiar with it. ~ could not recite any
details at the moment. It would require that I study
the paper at the moment, but I an familiar with the
fact that they wrote the paper, ~nd at one time [ went
through it very carefully.
Q And is it correct that they drew a conclusion
that there was a relationship, their conclusion?
A
You do not have that article with you, do you?
Q Not complete. I have an abstract.
A They have written a few articles, as you kncw.
There was an association, I remember very definitely.
Q Has anyone to. your knowledge attempted to corre-
late or claim to correlate changes in lung tissue, patho-
logical changes, with the degree of smoking history that
they supposedly had, ! mean autopsy-wise, after their
death?
A I think attempts have been made, but at the
moment I could not give you the specific authors or
specific references, or specific findings, actually.
Q Do you know whether Dr. Auerbach attempted to
do that? Was that the general area of his inves=igation?
A There again, I would hesitate ~: I do not want
to appear uncooperative -- but to make a statement re-
garding Dr. Auerbach's wock unless I had the article
available.
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Q Do you have any general idea as t~ what his
~ f inquiry was, that is Dr. Auerbach?
method or fi..d o
Was he a chemist or --
A No. My impression is that he was a pathologist.
He might be a chest surgeon, Oh, I really don't know.
Q Are you familiar, or did you read or ever dis-
cuss with the ~erican Tobacco personnel the report
of the study ~rou~ which was a combined effort of the
~merican Heart Association; The American Cancer Society,
the National Institute of Cancer; and the National Heart
Institute? Are you familiar with the report I am refer-
ring to?
A Yes,
Q Did you ever discuss that particular report
with the American Tobacco Company personnel?
A I imagine we did. We discussed so many things
that it is rather difficult for me to catalog absolutely
everything we have discussed. ~ do not keep a diary
of what I do, but I should think we might have talked
about it.
~ Could y6u-~ive us again what your'opinion is
of that, of their findings?
A There again, I would have to have an opportunity
of going over the article.
Q Do you know of any of the people who participated
in that particular study?
A At the moment I do not even really recall the
names. I am sure you do. ~:
Q Are you familiar with Dr. Heller of the National
Cancer Institute?
A I don't know him personally, i have heard of
him but I don't know him personally.
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Produced Pursuant to Court Orders in State ofMlnnesota~ et. aL v. Philip Morris, et

Q Has to your knowledge the Public ~eaith Service
of the U.S. Government taken any stand with respect to
this particular question of smoking and cancer?
t t •
A It is my impression that Dr. Burney issued a
statement to the press. Now the exact wording of that,
I don't know. That I suppose represents the feeling
of the Public ~ea!th Service.
Q Do you know of your own personal knowledge,
naturally based upon your own education, your reading,
and wherever your knowledge comes from, whether there
has been an increase in lung cancer over and above the
increase in other types of cancer of the body in the
past twenty years or so?
A Well, there seems to have been an increase in
the reported incidence, which according ~o many observe:s
at least is due to a better diagnosis.
Q But has it been limited, though, to lung cancer,
I mean the diagnosis being better there, or all cancers,
in other words, has it come to your attention that lung
cancer in particular has increased or at least alleded!y
increased over al~ (Tther types of c~ncer?
A Well, as I said, the reported rate of lung can-
cer has increased, which according to several observers
reflects better diagnosis.
Q There is not unanimity of opinion as to that
being the reason, is there?
Q Tell us whether or not there is unanimity of
opinion as to that being --
A No, no. There is not unanimity of opinion.
Q Are you familiar with the studies done on medi-
cal doctors in England by Doll and Hill?
A Yes. But there again, that is in a general
way. At the moment I could not give any details.
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Produced Pursuant to Court Orders in State ofMinnesota~ et al. v. Phihp Morris, et

Q In a general way, what did that hav~ to do with?
A That had to do with the incidence of lung cancer
and death rates from various causes, among a group of
physicians. Also relating to their smoking habits, as
obtained through a questionnaire. That is my general
idea.
Q Do you know whether you discussed that particu-
lar study with the A~erican Tobacco Gompany personnel?
Or how about Mr. ~a~e~?
A As I said, Mr. Hastings, it is difficult for
me to pick out isolated papers, but I am sure that we
during our discussions, that this has come up. But
if you should ask me when and where, I just couldn't
say.
Deposition of Dr. William R. Harlan in Green v. AT (i0/31/59)
at 126-128:
Q This particular list which was prepared, Plain-
tiff's Exhibit 1 for Identification, are you familiar
with that list of periodicals that were in your posses-
sion for the five years prior to iE56.?
A Yes, sir; I have read it.
Q With respect to the original investigators from
a statistical standpoint, such as Dr. Hammond and Dr.
~orn's studies, the Doll and Hill studies, you have
read those studies, or heard of them?
A I have heard of them; yes, sir.
Q And also the one involving the 200,000 veterans
of Dr. born's, isn't it a fact that those studies showed
a relationship between smoking and cancer?
A I would say that it showed, that they say it
shows an association.
Q They did not say it was an actual causal rela-
tionship, to the best of your knowledge?
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O In your o~n£on d£d they show a causal relation-
sh£p?
A I am not a statistician, sir, but I would say
no, in my opinion.
Q In your opinion did it show an association?
A As I understand association, yes, sir.
Q By association, you mean what? The more that
a person smokes the more the likelihood of the develop-
ment of cancer, a hi~her risk, would you say?
A. Yes. It shows an association there, but there
may be some exceptions, however, if all=of the data
is taken into consideration.
Q. Do you know of any other original studies that :
have been done other than those that we have mentioned,
the Hammond and Horn studies, the Doll and Hill s~udies,
the Dr. Dorn studies? Put it this way: Are you familiar
with any studies ~hat have been made }n these lands,
in France, in Norway, -- this is statistically now,
of any large groups -- how about the Netherlands?
A I don't remember any particular'ones.
Q Of any large population groups now, are you
f~miliar with any other studies other than those I have
mentioned?
A Within this period of time, you mean?
Q Yes. up through about 1956--weli, I guess Or.
Dorn would be since 1956, isn't that right?
A Yes, sir. No, I don't remember any prior to
1956.
Q. Those studies, Dr. Harlan, were what they call
prospective studies, that is to say, of people living,
who are going to be observed to see what happens to
them, isn't that right? In other words, they took the
P Subj_ect to Claims of Privilege and Confidentiality:
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