(cl THE RATIONALE OF THE BAT
APPROACH TO SMOKING ISSUES
Despite massive worldwide research by the tobacco industry,
scientific laboratories, universities and hospitals, the
evidence regarding smoking and health remains controversial.
Research continues, therefore, at a high level in an attempt
to answer many of the open questions.
But neither the research, nor the controversial nature of the
evidence, are given open acknowledgement by the critics of
smoking. indeed, it is very common for anti-smokers to make
unsubstantiated or =is-represented claims - safe in the
knowledge that it is unlikely that any response from the
tobacco industry will get a fair hearing.
During the past year BAT has been giving serious thought as
to whether it is both timely and feasible to take action to
try to get a better balance, or public exposure, in the debate
on the smoking issues.
The subject is complex, involving legal, public affairs and
technical issues - and the intimate involvement of all these
functions has been essential.
The conclusions have been:
(1) Yes - the tobacco industry should try to create
a better climate for its legitimate commercial
operations.
(2) The approach should be based on a more open
dialogue with Governments, MP's, doctors,
employees and shareholders.
In stressing that industry actions have been influenced both
by the demands of consumers, and by the views of Governments,
care must be taken not to be selective as to any evidence or
third-party views that are discussed.
It is particularly vital that the tobacco industry should not
adopt any third-party view as its own. Nor should there be
any attempt to form an industry judgement on the health
implications of the scientific and medical evidence.
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BAT Co LTD - MINNESOTA TOBACCO LITIGATION

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The' key points in any dialogue should be:
(1) the changing interests/demands of consumers
(2) the views of Governments (which are pr imar,ily
influenced by published scientific and medical
findings).
(3) the opinions of independent third-parties as
to product modif ications
(4) the detailed way in which product designs
have changed over the past 20 years.
The legal constraints in the USA continue to be the major
concern. But BAT beleives it is possible to discuss the
various isues, to the longer term good of both consumers and
industry, without jeopardizing the sensitive position of
industry.
Many of our detractors claim that we are non-caring. Our
activities, however, prove that the causation is false. BAT
is a socially responsible Company - proud of its reputation
and concerned about the wellfare of its consumers. it provides
products that meet the changing consumer demands and the
stipulations of authorities where these are expressed.
BAT believes that progress can come only from continued
research - and from reasonable and open discussions about all
the highly-complex issues.
January 1982
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BAT Co LTD - MINNESOTATOBACCOLITIGATION