'axe,
NOTES OF A MEETING OF THE TOBACCO
COMPANY RESEARCH DIRECTORS
Imperial Head Office - 16 February 1983
PRESENT: Mr W Owen - Imperi al
Dr E 0 Field/Dr K Middleton - Gallahers
Dr R W J Wil liams - Rothmans
Dr M Bourlas - Philip Morris
Dr L C F BlaCkman - BAT
We met to discuss the eleven main research proposals contained
in the impending ISC 3 Report. The Report has been skilfully
prepared: Taken at face value it is ni I der than we night have
expectec; but there are siDtle impl of constraint for
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the future of the industry.
Although some of the research areas are commercially sensitive,
the TAC response must be seen by the ISC to De constructive:
A series of 'no com-ment' wil I surely pr ov at; and
hi future voluntary agreements.
There are, however, dancers for the industry to be seen to work
in collaboration with t;e ISC; and also possible legal
implications for the industry seem I ng I to accept the concept
underlying some of the research proposals.
The following Is a summary of the main views of the Group
acting as individual scientists; It is recognised that these
views do not bind the respective companies and hence do not
represent an agreed TAC response.
For those items that are thought not to be connerci &I ly
sensitive, short aide-mimoires will be prepared by one or other
companies for use by members of the Group - le, not necessarily
for subsequent presentation to the ISC.
The possible association between tar and diseases other
Mn jung cancer
Epidemiological data suggests a lower incidence of bronchitis,
emphysema and heart disease among smokers of filter as opposed
to plain cigarettes - though generally the association is
weaker than that with lung cancer.
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While it is widely held that the particulate or tar component
of whole smoke is associated with lung cancer, it Is 'reasoned'
that the gaseous or vapour phase components are associated
with the other diseases. There is no known way, however, of
verifying this highly simple picture because in all cases
the information available relates to whole smoke.
Since. moreover. (a) there are rio generally accepted animal
models for bronchitis, emphysema and heart disease, and (b)
it Is not possible to generate cigarette smoke that contains
'tar' out not vapour phase, it is surely not possible for
TAC to formulate a research programme to answer the ISC
question.
BAT will prepare an aide-mg--noire an the sub-iect .
The role of tar in the acceptability of cigarettes to the
smoker
Imperial, Rothmans and Gallaher representatives all started
to discuss the issue in terms of the near impossibi I of
the W. Industry to achieve the existing Voluntary Agreement
target of 15 mgs SWAT by the end of 1983, let alone the 13
mg by 1987 as proposed by the ISC.
I was interested to note the consternation when I suggested
naTvely zhat :
(a) there would be no problem if we used tar numbers as
per Ge riia ny , Switzerland, US etc and
( by reducing the tar bands between low-middle and
middle by say 2 mgs. we would get breathing space
for a year or two.
Later, however, I suggested the ISC had something quite
different in mind; namely the possibility that tar (or aerosol
smoke) may directly contribute to consumer satisfaction or
to the maintenance of smoking. If this Is correct, It Is an
area of strict commercial interest and, therefore, not one
which the TAC could til scuss with the I This interpretation
and conclusion was agreed,
(During the short discussion no one mentioned the concept of
mouth-full of smoke, but there was talk of the role of aerosol
smoke particles as carriers of nicotine and vapour phase
constituents, such as acrolein, that give impact and irritation.)
3* The effects of nicotine at the levels achieved through smoking
While animal experiments could probably be dos to study
the Of Oct of nicotine (either by itself or as 'spiked$ additions)
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our response to the ISC should be that we have nothing to
offer. The little Information we have Is already in the
public domain, and we have no Idea as to a worthwhile research
progra-me .
Imperial will produce an aine-m6moire on tme subject.
4. Whether nicotine is a co-carcimogen
Our resoonse Should be that we concur with tne views expressed
in the 3ra Report of tme ISC. and in the Cohen and Roe TAC
monograph on nicotine.
Imperial will prepare an aice-mCamoire - which will incluoe
comment an the ola TRC study that suggested nicotine was an
anti-carcinogen.
S. The role of nicotine, at tne relevant lower range of nicotine
dosage, in perpetuating tne smoxi ng nab
While -nuch information al ready exists in the literature
(Russell, ik I and Stepney etc" this Is a particularly
sensitive area for the industry.
If any fut ure stud,', snowez roat nicotine either was, or was
not, associated with perpetuating the Smoking habit, industry
could well be called upon to reduce or eliminate nicotine
from the product. (A heads we lose, tails we cannot win
situation!)
We must not become Involved in any collaborative study with the
I
6. Compensatory smoking
This also is a particularly tricky subject. On the one hand it
is commercially sensitive. On the other, it must be in the
interest of the industry to get data and speak out against
those who claim that the low delivery programme Is misleading
in that smokers compensate for the low deliveries.
Rothmans will circulate an existing internal literature review
for consideration; but no use will be made, of this material
.until each company has sought Legal advice# [ Kendr I ck -Me] 1 s
is so concerned with compensation that he advises no reference
is made in the revised Blue Book.)
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7. The effects of carbon monoxide in the context of whole tobacco
smoke
Our response should be that we wholeheartedly agree with
paragraphs 21-23 of the ISC report. and that we cannot understand
why the ISC feel so strongly on CO. as indicated in paragraph 24.
I mentioned In confidence that Tim Higenbottam et &I will be
presenting a paper at a conference next month in Sicily.
The conclusion from a re-examination of the Whitehall Civil
Servant study is that there is no evidence to link CO in
smoke with heart disease: it is suggested that the advice
by Governments that smokers should choose lower CO products
could be counter productive.
BAT will prepare a critique of the subject.
The interaction between carbon monoxide and other components
BT tobacco smoke, Such as nicotine
We are perplexed by the concept proposed by the !SC, and
certainly we have no knowledge on the subject. In our response
to the ISC, however. we should (again) refer to the lack of
mention of the Gul Ile rm Study which was pointed out to the
ISC in our early comments on the Draft 3 Report.
9. The possible toxicity of certain 'other noxa ,
Though the proposals seem to go back to the early days of
tobacco research, the best response would be to agree to
talk with the Committee; we need, however, Legal advice
regarding the proposed TAC/ISC collaboration to investigate
the various issues.
Rothmans will prepare a critique on the subject.
10. The Effects Of Passive Smoking
Imperial Lawyers forbid them from supporting human up-take
studies. Imperial activity must be limited to Stage I of the
TAC Programme, I* determining ambient levels of smoke components
W`fth this veto, we agreed our response to the ISC must be the
TAC research programme. But Bourlas for P14 said, although he
hod supported the Imperial view at the recent TA Research
Committee, he personally 'agreed with Frances Roe, Gallahers.
Rothmans and BAT that it is a wholly non-credible attitude,
(Information on human up-take will in any case be available
in due course from the Verband and possibly the Tobacco
Institute in the US.)
Philip Morris and Gal I &hers will jointly prepare a critque.
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Ways of reducing the amount, irritancy and other deleterious
properties of sidestream smoke
This is regarded cy all companies as a commercially sensitive
area. TAC cannot, therefore, discuss the matter as a body
with the ISL.
All present. however. expressed tneir personal view that
although industry worldwide must strive in the years to come
to reduce sidestream emissions and ambient-smoke levels. It is
difficult to see how any company can hope to gain a commercial
advantage from tne early introduction of low. sidestrean
products.
The main difficulties foreseen are:
(a) Adverti si n@ the advantages of a new low Sidestream
product woulc oe detrimental to all their other
brands.
(b) There will be little or no incentive (or advantage)
for a smicker to use a low sidestream product if
ot')ers in Ithe room are smoking conventional ones.
(Clearly, if he were the only smoker, or were In
his own home. there would be an incentive.)
L C F BLACKMAN
IS February 1983
CC Mr R L 0 Ely
Mr W J Dickson
Mr M J Scott
Dr C I Ayres
Or R E Thornton
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