SMOKING LND HEALTH ISSUES CONFERENCE
CHELWOOD, XOVMIBER 5-8, 1979
Synopsis
1. Over the forthcoming five years the tobacco
industr7ls
principal concern will be profitable survival and
growth
in the light of:
smoking and health
- social unacce=tabilit7
- social cost
- its behaviour as a -world citizen
- its role in developing nations
2. The aDproach of these major issues is
inexorable and they
represent both a threat and an opportunity to 3AT.
For
some companies they may be scarcely a cloud on the
horizon
but it is of kev importance Viat steps be taken
now to
manage these iSsues so that thetr impetus can be
ha--nessed
and used nositively for the developmen-, of our
business.
Other-vise, their influence -will be destructive.
3. We have to reccznise ~.~~.at there is a
statistical association
between smohing and cer-~ain diseases. Thus, if
its credibility
is not to be lost BAT and the industr-T needs to
review its
current attitude in the light of the legal
position. Passive
smoking however poses no appreciable danger to the
non-smoker.
4. The social unacceptability of smoking is based
largely upon
the passive smoking myth. Here, science,
commonsense and
individual freedom are on our side. The effect of
smoking
on pregnant women and on children are not fully
understood
and are a matter for concern.
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BATCO document for Province of BritiSh Columbia 28
October 1999


5. ICOSI is a new international Organisation which
merits our full
support. Its policies and the information it
creates will
be of considerable value to BAT general managers
and the
industry. Group companies should work for strong
manufacturers
associationsin their countries wherever possible.
6. The Eleven Nation Study gives cause for
concern. It shows a
widespread view among both smokers and non-smokers
that in
some countries smoking has lost its social
acceptability on
grounds of health. An obJective for companies
should be to
make sure this unacceptabilit7 does not occur in
territories
where it can be prevented.
7. The German examule indicates that the
industrv's ~,reatest
ally is its consumer. The Verband shows that a
dialogue through third par7ies with the scientific
commun-Jcy
on the health aspects of smoking can reflect well
on the
industry and avoid isolaticn.
8. Under certain conditions. soundlv based
azzressive industr-,
action can highlight the extremism of onnonents
and divide
them from politicians and officials. This is a
lesson of :he
Australian exmerience.
9. Desoite restrictions. it is alwa.7s vossible to
sell the nroduct
and increase market share. A s-~rate97 Of working
with the
bureaucracy and not agains: it can moderate their
attitude
to restriction and isolate the a=-4-smoking lobby.
These
points are illustrated by Canada.
10. U.S. legal constraints on the industry's
smoking and health
message may not be as inflexible as many believe-
The possibility
of further room for manoeuvre will be explored to
help the
industry develop its credibilitv.
11. DesDite the rhetoric of the international
azencies. there
is a growinz realisation bv zovernments that
international
companies have a mst positive role to play. BAT
has a good
story to tell and stould make sure it is heard by
key audiences.
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BATCO document for Province of BritiSh C01urnbia
28 October 1999


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12. BAT must continue to avoid advertising
restriction wherever
possible. We must not behave insensitively or
irresponsibly
however where children are concerned or where
there are
consideration of status for example, or prestige.
13. On social costs, there is much ill-founded
assertion by anti-
smoking grouDs. The subject will remain a major
line of attack
but it can be countered and we must prevent its
acceptance by
the community. ICOSI is preparing useful
countermeasure material.
14. Examination of the motivations of anti-smoking
grouDs and
individuals can be helpful to us. Their interests
are
sometimes different from those of government
officials.
That is why it is possible for the industr7 to
isolate
the extremists and work successfully with
governments.
The success of the anti-smokers depends upon
persuading
the community to see the industr7 as a wickedly
dangerous
dragon. The anti-smokers fear is that the man and
wcman
in the street will take a moderate and sensible
view of
smoking and continue to enjoy tobacco. Sc it is
therefore in
the interests of the industry to present a smoking
and health
message which has credibilit7, and to divide
non-smokers from
anti-smokers.
15. The consumer movement is Zaining imcetus
throuzhout the world.
In consequence, the industry has an opportunity to
extend
its support for the smoker and to deny the
anti-smoking lobby
the opportunity of using consumerism as a vehicle
and forum
for anti-smoking propaganda.
16. For a number of rapidly-developing countries.
smoking and health
is an imDorted issue. There is a need to take
pre-emptive
action and to ensure that smoking and health is
not interpreted
as a multinational issue. Otherwise smoking and
health will
be used by the anti-smoking lobby as a weapon
against RAT.
17. The recognition by host communities that BAT
comnanies identify
their interests with aims and aspirations will
continue to be
a key element in companv progress. cz~
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Conclusion
The Conference has served to cr7stallise further
the BAT's
more vigorous attitude towards public affairs
including
smoking and health issues. These changes axe
significant
because they can provide opportunities for
BAT'associated
comDanies to harness these issues and put them to
constructive
use.
In his su=ar7, the Chairman emphasised that:
1. It was necessary to protect the consu=er and
support
him.
2. Time will be needed to change attitudes.
There will be an additional cost in ttis area
which
has to be accepted.
The real need in ttLis area is for ideas and the
treatment
of ideas and developing people to core with this
will
not be easy.
Conviction in our cause and courage in expressing
it
are vital.
ACTION
;= all these items T11M ACTION must come from
issoc4ated
c--mranies in the field. Headquarters will also
take action
and -will provide the necessary Policy and other
supporz.
BAT's position must be not a lone voice but the
su= of all
the voices of its associated companies. Ccmpany
plans should
therefore establish priorities and target dates
for achieving
objectives.
Headquarters will continue to advise on basic
attitudes to
the primary health issues in guidelines and other
documents
circulated from time to time. If in doubt
companies should
consult the centre when planning their
in;--.iatives.
BATCO document for Province of BritiSh Columbia 28
October 1999