GROUP R. & D. CONFERENCE - CHELWOOD 1972
(October 14th - l9th)
Present: Dr. S. J. Green (Chairman)
Sir Charles Ellis
Dr. D. G. Felton
_V,4TJtE
Mr. R. M. Gibb
Dr. F. Haslam 7 N0V1W2
Dr. I.W. Hughes
Mr. G. A. Preston
Dr. R. A. S a nford
Dr. F. Seehofer
Herr H.E. Sottorf
Mr. R. S: Wade
Mr. Macadam and Mr. McCormick were present for the
last session.
The objectives of the Conference were agreed:
a) Co-ordination of R. & D. policy in the
Group.
b) Formulation of R. & D. recomme nda t ions
on Group Policy.
(1) Dr. Green opened the Conference and referred
to the European
Industrial Research Managers Conference Report for
the Paris
meeting in March, 1972. The report is attached and
was
to throughout the Conference from time to time.
EIRMA
referred
.
conclusion 6 was underlined: Results should be
bought if this
can be done more cheaply than by R. & D. but "an
appropriate
in-house capability in science and technology,
based on a
good own research effort is indispensable for the
appraisal of
outside opportunities. "
(2) R. & D. is now an essential part of the
Companies represented
and therefore cost benefit analysis is no more
applicable to
much of R. & D. than to other functional
departments. However,
for selection of development projects individual
cost benefit
analysis is applicable and generally of
considerable value.
(3) Dr. Green outlined a discussion he had had
with Dr. Tripp
of McKinsey. The three most useful conclusions
from McKinsey's
experience with many research organisations were:
a) The use of formal Corsequence Evaluation
analysis. cc
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b) Zero-base budgeting for programme re-strucLure,
i.e. r*,-)
creation of a new programme with no budget ceiling
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(e.g. double current expenditure) followed by
priority
selection from this programme within imposed
financial
constraint.
0 Full rotation of R. & D. staff
(4) Zero-base budgeting procedure had been applied
to the
Southampton core-research programme and the
resultant
change of direction towards consumer preference
was
explained. There was a lively discussion and it
was
emphasised that the new programme offers a
formidable
challenge to those involved. The main Southampton
objective was stated "To design cigarettes which
are
preferred by smokers either generally or in
significant
special cases. The products are to conform to
policy
requirements with respect to composition and
biological
activity." The main criticism was not with the
objectives
but that these might be too difficult to achieve.
There was
further discussion on the use of the McKennell
factors as a
hypothesis linking the needs of smokers with the
kinds of
cigarettes preferred - an approach Southampton
propose to
use initially. Useful advice was collected from
participants
but, as might be expected in such a relatively
uncharted
area, unanimity on the pathway proposed was not
achieved.
(5) In the light of the new relationship between
B-A.T. and I.T.G.
It is recommended that B-A.T. should seek
admission to the
U. K. Standing Scientific Liaison Committee on
Smoking and
Health since the decisions of this committee could
have a
world-wide impact. .
(6) A research agreement with 1. T. G. would be
welcomed but
Product Development and general Process
investigation should
be excluded. Areas specifically included should
cover Smoking
and Health, aspects of leaf and agricultural
practice, PRT and
machinery evaluation.
(7) It was recognised that R. & D. departments
probably found it
easier to receive visitors on a restricted
information basis than
other departments. For the present I.T.G. visitors
should be
treated as if an agreement along the lines
indicated in (6) were
in being but this who'le area of visitors needs
further consideration
and perhaps clearer guidance from Millbank.
(8) It was agreed that inventors should continue
to be dealt with in
a demonstrably diligent manner but it was
particularly underlined
that as far as possible all ideas should be
examined by the
same route regardless of their point of entry into
the system. CO
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(9) Some concern was expressed with respect to the
draft list
of additives to tobacco for the U.K. It was
suggested that
in view of E. E. C. harmonisation the whole
picture should
be viewed In this light. Dr. Green would circulate
to members
the current proposals for their views.
(10) Introduction of gas phase league tables
appears to have
receded to some extent. No early introduction is
now
foreseen.
1) Government control over pesticide residues on
tobacco is
increasing. It is expected that increased problems
of
Infestation in storage will occur and that this
will demand
considerable expenditure. throughout the Group.
Discussions
should be initiated with Leaf Department,
Millbank, with a
view to alerting the Group of the needs that are
likely to arise.
The German Government limits on pesticide residues
could
still possibly be varied if no alternatives exist
or if good
agricultural practice is threatened. Views should
be collected
and passed to the German company with this in
mind.
Mr. Drummond's survey of crop chemicals used in
the Group
was circulated to all present and a copy is
attached.
(12) It was urged that the use of
microbiologically unsatisfactory
tobacco should be eliminated. The problem of
moulding of
tobacco adjacent to cold floors in storage
requires examination.
In certain places the use of stillages is a
practical solution.
(13) Marketing opportunities in the development of
biodegradable
products and packets will develop under pressure
from those
concerned with the protection of the environment.
(14) Concern is growing for the reduction of noise
in cigarette
factories. Current action was outlin;d.
(15) New materials with coolant properties were
tested by members
smoking treated cigarettes. Generally comments
were adverse
but it was recognised that in the longer term such
materials
might give products which could be attractive and
may present
an opportunity -
(16) An attempt should be made to get Professor
Rand (Melbourne)
to carry out a critical review of the place of
nicotine in the
field of neuropharmacology.
(17) The pilot study on the metabolism of coumarin
In baboons was CO
outlined. General support was expressed for the
full-scale CO
experiment if the pilot study was sufficiently
encouraging. r,.,-)
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(18) Short term biological tests are likely to be
used more widely
in the Group as a first step to full assessment of
changes.
A regular review of these tests will be
undertaken.
(19) Non-tobacco smoking materials were discussed.
The policy
that these must offer demonstrable advantages on
health
grounds before use is strongly supported. They may
also
need to be approved by appropriate Government
bodies.
Further, it was agreed that B-A.T. should require
full
disclosure of all constituents before these
materials are
used in products for sale. Changes in smoking
behaviour
arising from the use of these materials should be
examined
before they are widely used in products for sale.
. 1
(20) Consumer testing of N. C. F. , Cytrel and N.
S. M. is being
done from the U. K. and Government approval for
this has
now been indicated in Germany. Further development
of
N.C.F. is required, particularly on Its density
and its
interaction in blended cigarettes. A presentation
on N.C. F.
to the B.S.L.C. is considered desirable to gain
further
assurance and to establish B-A.T. as an active
contributor
in this field. (The current decision in Millbank
however is
that such a presentation should not be made at
this time.)
It was agreed that it should be easier to
demonstrate a
health advantage with a material which does not
contribute
to the smoke than one which does but the effect of
N. C.F.
on combustion should continue under investigation.
(21) The Conference reinforced previous views on
the hazards of
bronze powder. The German development in the
application of
bronze powder will be drawn to the att,ntlon of
manufacturing
departments in the companies represented.
(22) Australia is the only territory interested in
Reynolds G-13
- they will now deal with this directly with
Reynolds -
(23) The proposals for biological facilities in
Southampton were
discussed. The need for a central facility of this
nature was
endorsed.
(24) Suspect smoke components should be reviewed
based on the
Surgeon-General's list. Among the main components
reduction
of carbon monoxide presents a major problem and
concern.
(25) Passive smoking increases as a problem.
Replies to pressure
have, so far, been successfully handled on an
industry basis.
(26) There is no evidence, on health grounds, to
change earlier
recommendations on inhalable small cigars. When
new small
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cigars are sold successfully they should be
subjected to
appropriate biological chemical and behavioural
examination.
(27) Dr. Green presented his paper on "The
Association of
Smoking and Disease" and this was discussed in
depth.
There was a wide measure of agreement but it was
recognised that the implementation of some of the
proposals
would be difficult and require further
considerable study.
One suggestion was that our aim should be to
provide
smoking pleasure accompanied by, risk no greater
than that
with comparable habits, such as alcohol. This may
already
be the position achieved in some countries.
(28) The conclusions of the Prpduct Development
Conference
held earlier in the year at Southampton were
endorsed.
(29) It was suggested that Mr. Richardson
(Southampton) should
be asked to summarise the present position on
smoke aerosol
physics and then be invited to present a paper to
the Group.
(30) Means of Increasing the puff numbers of low
density low
delivery cigarettes are required in addition to
those at
present available. Dr. Baker (Southampton) would
be asked
to review the retardants available.
(31) Carbon filters must be kept in mind for the
long term although
because of recent biological results it is
unlikely that they
will become necessary for health orientated
cigarettes in
the near future.
(32) The "Programmed" filter and Duolite filter
were described. It
was emphasised that these should be handled
particularly
confidentially at present.
(33) The range of tests relating to physical
properties of smoke is
increasing and their use in product development
should be
strongly encouraged. These tests include Camver,
oil-water
partition, centrifugation and behaviour in buffer
solutions.
(34) These Group conferences are both useful and
necessary for the
co-ordination of R. & D. in B-A.T. but they could
be complemented
from time to time by ad-hoc conferences of
specialists at the
bench level.
(35) Dr. Hughes Invited the Conference to meet
next in thr U.S.A.
The date will be arranged, probably about
May/June. C=)
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BATCO document for Province of British Columbia 9
November 1999