B.A.T.: R. E. r). CONFERENCE - M0'&%'TRE'1%L-
October 24 'to 27 1967.
Present: Dr. S. T. Green
Sir Charles Ellis
Dr. D. G. Felton
Dr. R. B. Griffith
Mr. L. C. Laporte
Dr. R. A. Sanford
Dr. F. S*ehofor
Mr. H. E. Sottorf
Mr. R. S. Wade
-Conclusion and Recommendttions
The main conclusions are as follows:
1. Company scientists should be fully Involved In the
formulation of company policy In the field of smoking
and health.
2. Smoking Is now irreversibly associated vAth health.
More legislation and governmental control can be
expected.
3. Lessons can be learnt from the Strickman affair
applicable over a wide range of activity.
4. Some attempt should be made to establish the optimal
levels of nicotine for sr-jokers , to develop low T. P. M.
normal nicotine cigarettes. I ow T. P. M. low nicotine
cigarettes, predominantly health-orientated cigarettes
and to consider more radical approaches to smoking
devices and non-Inhalable cigarettes.
S. Montreal and Hamburg will seek approval to develop
a cigarette made predominantly of locally produced
reconstituted tobacco.
6. Southampton will develop a cigarette incorporating
all factors considered of importance In bio-assay and
aim to have it tested biologically.
7. Mote Sting of Company products should be 11 mited to
products believed to b* completely developed to a
viable saleable proposition.
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8. The Companies of the Group are generally weak
and vulnerable in the development of conventional
cigarettes. We should examine the application of
scientific work to these problems. The closest
working relationships with those employed In marketing
should be established.
S. Knowledge of the technical details of how people
smoke could be of great value.
la. The attention of microbiologists within the Group
sbould be drawn to the possibility of the n*c&sslty
f6r microbiological production control.
II. The 100 mm. cigarette is probably In entirely the
wrong direction. It could, however, provide an
opportunity to introduce extra long filters.
12. It was concluded that members had found the conference
useful although the criticism was expressed that there
had been inefficient detailed co-ordination of work
programmes.
13. There should be further conferences of this nature and
the majority present thought that the next m&etinq
should be within the next six or seven months.
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objectives of the- Qonference
Dr. Green outlined the objectives of the conference
as follows:
a) To examine the research and development
activity relevant to the Companies of the
Group.
b) To identify the main assumptions implicit
In present activities.
C) To Identify the main objectives of research
and development and to recommend any
desirable changes in objectives or procedure.
He pointed out that the objectives were very broad
and should be construed to include other research centres such
as Harrogate. Although additional topics could arise from time
to time, two major themes had been Isolated, nctnely smoking
and health and product development.
2. The -.meeting approved the agenda structure, after a
short discussion.
3. As
Considerable discussion took place on the assumptions
made by R. & D- scientists and these were listed without any
attempt to justify them or to agree on their correctness at this
time.
Of the assumptions listed, the main ones were Identified
as:
a) Research can be profitable.
b) There is a minimum necessary level of nicotine.
Sm. oking Is a habit attributable to nicotine.
The form of nicotine affects the rate of absorption
by the smoker.
C) Smoking and health problems are susceptible
to a research solution.
d) If there Is no Inhaling, there is no lung cancer
or respiratory disease.
0) Smoking has both physiological and psychological
effects.
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There wilt be more government involvement In
the tobacco industry in the future.
Company non-medical scientists are capable
of making judgements on health matters.
h) Selective filtration of non-volatile materials
is possible (i. a. , aerosol particles are chemically
Inhomogeneous).
1) Smoking and health matters cannot be entirely
handled by legal and political moves.
4. The Present EnvIronment
A number of iactors were listed as being those a
R. D. activity but over which we have little or no control.
The major ones were as follows:
a) D-mal and political pressures
The meeting heard summaries of the American.
Canadian and German positions and were unanimous
in reaching the conclusion that the technical
position on smoking and health Iz becoming
increasingly coniplex and that the companies'
scientists should be fully involved In the formula-
tion of company policy In the field of smoking and
health.
Sir Charles said that in his opinion, the Industry
should attempt to seize the initiative by some
positive action. A number of suggestions were
considered and it was felt generally that sorne
attempt should be made at the appropriate time
to bring together the industry scientists In the
U.S. In order to explore possible action in this
field. Dr. Griffith cited examples of the U.K.
and especially Germany.
It was also aC.re*d that company scientists can
provide a positive approach In contacts with
public authorities.
It was agreed that smoking is likely to be
associated with health continuously In the
future and that It was not a pas.sing phase.
It was ILkely, moreover, that tobacco would
be Involved in legislation of a food and drug
administration nature in respect both of product
and o! manufacture. The Gwman z!tuation
re pesticide on tobacco s indicative co
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of this trend although tobacco in Germany
already comes under the food laws.
b) Evternal Prersures
The meeting discussed Amcel's smoking
material SM and Imperial Developments.
The position may be reached within a year
or so where Celanese Corporation of America
may attempt to exert pressure through the
public authorities to get their product
incorporated Into cigarettes. In this
connection, it was considered that the
present arrangements were satisfactory.
The present arrangement Is that B.A.T.
(Millbank) are in touch with Aricel and
.have a relationship which Is 'warm' but
limited to supplier and possible consumer.
R. & D.E. are testing SM materials an-,
Amcel undertake to keep us fully informed
and not to disclose publicly without prior
consultation. There were reports that Amcel
had recently made a 'technological break-
through', and if this were the cases both
Germany and Canada wished to receive
samples through Millbank when these b*=ome
available. Germany would also like a s=all
quantity of the current product.
In the case of Imperial Developments the
problems of communication were clarified.
Because of the A.M. & r. license to I.T. Co.
(G. B. & 1.). Dr. Green undertook to get further
clarification with respect to the provision of
Information to Bristol of now developments on
PCL in C:, and America.
c) Externe-1 Resei%rch Pro.-Tremmes
It was agreed that such programmes as those
at the University of Kentucky and at the
Environmental Health Unit at Research Triangle,
N.C. (Kotin3 will influence Company research'
programmes and may also have other ef!e--ts.
For example, the fact that they will of necessity,
publish their results should lead to a reconsideration
of our own policy on publishing and It was agreed
that where results which we had obtained were
likely to-be covered by such publications. we
ourselves should publish first. It was also
agreed that we should co-operate in C.. programmes
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as for as possible. !n particular. Dr. Griffith
thought that B.A.T. had had a most favourable
influence on Dr. Stokes of the University of
Kentucky during his recent visit to Europe.
It was felt that Kotin's work could well provide
the occasion for the co-operation of the American
Industry at the scientific level. Provided that
co-ordination and contact is made through the
respective research departments. It was
mentioned that these programmes could also
be supported by the Industry. perhaps at the
expense of contributions to CTR or AMA.
d) Pressurns from Co=%etitinn
It was reported that both Reynolds and American
Tobacco Company had recently greatly Increased
their facilities, particularly In the area of product
development. It was agreed that this should be
taken Into account in planning our own future
activities. CDE suggested that pressure in
development should not be allowed to erode the
research work considered necessary In each
laboratory.
The exa mple of the I 00 r.-m. cigarette was
considered and it was agreed that this development
was most undesirable from the viewpoint of smoking
and health, although it could offer the possibility
of introducing very long filters.
S. General Ob of R. & D.
The following general objectives were defined following a
discussion:
1) To insure the continuation of the industry and
the prosperity of the company within the industry.
The insurance aspect of research at this time Is
particularly important.
2) To provide a technological basis for sustaining
and Increasin7- the profits of the company, both
long and short-range.
31 To carry out sorne research work which is felt
to be necessary if a satisfactory scientific
advisory service Is to be provided.
No zittc rno %vas made at this time to delineate specific
project objectives, but after general discussion. It was agreed
that It is essential for the scientific research and marketing
staffs to cooperate closely in their activities.
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6 Smol-inv aw! He-Ith
Mr. Keith and Mr. Pare' were present part of the time.
Dr. Griffith was not present.
Dr. Runeckles Joined the meeting.
It was decided first to discuss the STRICKMAN FILTER.
The position regarding Canada, America and Germany
was outlined. It was agreed that the most important feature
was the commercial attraction offered by the publicity which
the filter had received, but there was some Indication that a
granular bed filter may be of some importance with respect to
taste. This could be particularly so with respect to Virginia
cigarettes If an alkaline additive were used which might change
the ratio of extractable to non-e---tractable nicotine.
The lessons to be learned from the Strickman filter
were that:
1) In the examination of new Ideas presented
to the industry, companies raust be demonstrably
diligent even If the Idea does not appear to be
attractive at the time. The meeting was unanimous
that in the light of the prevailing circumstances,
Louisville had carried out a satisfactory examina-
tion of the Strickman filter when It was first
offered to them in 1966.
2. Companies should insist on Inventors having some
form of patent protection and the presence of
witnesses, preferably lcwyors, would be advantageous.
3. It might be possible to mark-et a health-crientated
cigarette without prior biological testing. However,
there has been some criticism of this at the Columbia
press conference and the position Is not yet clear.
4. The Strickman experience demonstrates the general
approach which might be made to marketing health
orientated cigarettes. This is to publish in the
scientific literature and make disclosure possibly
simultaneously through a public authority.
S. We should re-examine the relationships between
pressure,drop and retention performance & difforea
types and forms of filter materials.
Sir Charles Ellis surveyed the progress of current work In
the field of smoking and health. He was of the opinion that big
advances hcve been made In bio-assay techniques for smoko
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condensate paintin-, and that a number of different factors
affecting biological activity Pro being revealed and there is
some evidence suggesting cigarette wroke nvamy only play a
contributory role in carcinogenesis. This leads to the conclusion
that if enough well directed effort were to be applied. a cigarc%te
could be developed which would be of lower bio-assay activity.
while possessing an acceptable taste. The meeting agreed that
It would be worthwhile to make such a cigarette with lower
-biological zctIvity on mouse skin painting, provided this did
not adversely affect the.position with respect to irritation
lied certain
and other factors. It was recognized that thLs Imp
assumptions about the relevance of mouse skin painUng; but
It was unlikely this test would be replaced by cheaper, shorter
and more meaningful tests for the next few years. A further
argument is that such a omouse-skin safe' cigarette would be
particularly valuable In public relations.
In addition to this biological testing which could be
undertaken or sponsored by the Individual companies. It was
suggested that each company might well consider sponsoring
at least a small pro;ramme of longer-range biological work,
the main object of ---hich would be to farnilierize the company
scientists with the problems Involved, in order to appreciate
better the work currently being carried out in the whole field.
The difficulties associated with inhaletion studies
were discussed and it was agreed that in the likely event
that no satisfactory inhalation test could be found, It would
be necessary to issue an intuitive judgment based on cellular
biochemical studies.
Consideration was then given to modifications which
could be made to cigarettes now and In the future. It was
agreed that this ct-.uld best be considered at several levels.
1) The Improvement of current brands should be
continued by removing from the srnoke, any
substances Judged to be harmful or alleged to
b-9 harmful. provided consumer acceptance is
not adversely affected.
2. The development of lorw T. P. hi.. normal nicotine
cige.-cttes should continue. In this connection.
the use of filter additives. such as P.E.I. might
be helpful since It might render the nicotine
more available to the smoker.'
3. The development of a low T. P. M. low nicotine
cigarette should be expanded. This raises the
question of the level of nicotine required and the C=)
consumer study by Bristol can be helpful In determining Co
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this. Mr. Sattorf pointed out th-at there
was evidencelhat in Germany per cr pi O. at
cigarette consumption inc re a se --I for the lov.-or
nicotine brands. It cannot, hv.-.-ever, be assumed
that the minimum nicotine acccptr-ble to the
smoker Is the optimal level, end some consideration
should be given to establishing this.
41 Some cigarettes should be developed which are
entirely health-orientated and in which health
factors predominate in the design. Such products
murt be subject to continual review and will
require biological testing. In view of the great
effort involved in biological testing of new cigarettes
it should only be applied to those %which have &L-eady
satisfied the requirements of taste, cost, etc.. and
which are, therefore, considered viable commercial
peoducts. Health orientated cigarettes ought probably
to be shorter rather than longer.
S) A further approach could be towerds smohing articles
which differ radically from existing cigarettes. for
example, those constituted entirely from non-tobacco
materials or the ARIEL device, or even a cigarette
aimed to be pleasantly non-inhalable. It was noted
in passing that the trend towards making civerlets
milder and therefore more easily inhalable was
undesirable on health grounds.
it was suggested that the development of a number
of health-OrLentated cigarettes should be undertaken
by the member laboratories. It was tentatively agreed
by Montreal, Hamburg and Louisville that they would
r develop or get approval to develop a cigarette made
predominantly of locally produced reconstituted tobacco.
R. & D.E. , Southampton are already developing a
ciga-ette which will Incorporate all factors, recognisod
as important In the context of bio-assay with the
ob-active of establishing the mast xi mum reduction in
biological aczi%-ity attainable at present. Dr. Falton
outlined the present cigarette being examined in
Southampton. This was 84 mrn. including 20 n-m.
dual filter with P.E.I.. zinc acetate and sodium acetate.
A ne I wcre being tested and the tobacco rod is
5V@ Burley 3 0 I'lue cured, both cut at 60 C. P. 1. and
20% stem.
The PURI device was discussed and opinion was
di%-!dad a a to how far fur-,her development was
justified. It was generally felt. hmvever, that some
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further dovelo;nqent should be undertaken
particularly with respect to smoking characteristics
and consume., ec-ceptance.
A general discussion follovied on basic assumptions which
guided thinking in the fteld cf sticking and health. While
recognising the importance of psychological factors in smoking
and the possibility that some smokers would accept non-nicotine
cigaren tes, it was falt that nicotine is Important forth* majority
of smokers and that the form of nicotine can be significant. It
was also considered that nicotine will be increasingly subject
to attack. It vms agreed that there v.-Ill be increasing government
involvement in the industry. The meeting concluded that adsorbent
filters such as charcoal will play a long-term role in cigarette
design.
Attention has recently been drawn to the sugar content
of flue-cured tobacco as a possible factor In respiratory disease.
The meeting noted that fermentation as a means of reducing the
sugar content Is being tested in the JANUS programme.
The use of catalyses and additives to reduce benzpyrone
was discussed, as well as the recent patent by van Julsingha
on the addition to cigarettes of non-carcinogenic polycycuc
hydrocarbons -.. hich are supposed to transfer to the smoke and
function as biological antagonists for carcinogenic hydrocarbons
produced by pyrolysis. The preli=izmry and tentative indications
from results am" Harrogate suggesting that potassium compounds
enhanced carcinogenicity were discussed in the context of tho St.
Paull process-and Dr. Green suggested that these considerations
shouid be borne in rn In future product development work,
particularly in cnnnection a health-orientated cigarette.
The evidence, however, is not strong enough to suggest that
the existing St. Pauli treatament should be changed at this time.
It was suggested that it is likely that in the future. some
attention may have to be given to the manufacturing process with
regard to ,microbiological control. Regardless of the outcome of
current Investigations in the fie!d of smoking and health vrhich
are died at assessing the im-'=@.arce of micro-biological contamination.
In the present political clirmte said with increasing government Involve-
Mont, sooner or later tobacco manufacturers may have to conform to
standards similar to those in the food end drug Industries.
It was agrecd that this is a serious possibility and that
members will give this m@ttcr full consideration and draw It to the
attention of their managements if appropriate.
The situation ir. G3=any regarding the stringent regulations
for pesticide residues an tobccco was explained and discussed. it
was agreed that rne=-bers, wculd endeavour to obtain information
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relating to the minimum application requirements of pesticides
for Insect control and to determine whether pesticides on the
prohibited list could be replaced by acceptable substitutes.
Such information, if available would be sent to Millbank for
Hamburg.
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7. Product Dcovcloor-@,nl.
Dr. Runecklos was present.
Mr. Baldwin and Dr. Griffith were present part t@ -le).
Discussion on this subject was limited to the development
of new brands of conventional cigarettes. and the role of R. &. D.
in this activity, particularly in Germany and Canada'was described.
It was concluded that there Is no easy to product
development. but that It is essential to have the continual
involvement of marketing, scientific and loaf personnel even
before the product concept was developed. The contribution off
laboratory work to product development Is. of necessity, somewhat
limited, and systematic human smoking tests provide the predominant
technique. Scientific departments have a major role in the latter
work. Current laboratory tests which are considered of value are
tests for nicotine in the tobacco and the smoke, sugar content In
the tobacco and total particulate matter in smoke. It was agreed,
however, that attempts should be made to find out whether
measurement of total vapour phase and/or its pH for example.
could prove useful and to extend. if possible, the application V&
of extractable nicotine measurements.
With regard to the possible extension of the Imboratory
contribution, Sir Charles Ellis suggested some consideration
should be given to a physical measurement relattig to the nicotine
and the smoke aerosol and Dr. Seehafer described an Interesting
empirical test (CAMVER) which is still under study In Hamburg.
It was agreed that In the long run, a detailed knowledge
of how smokers s-noke (Puff pro"lle, frequency volume etc.) and
how behavioural patterns alter, could be of great value in product
developmant. It is possible that if such a study were undertaken,
the mark-et saCment target could be identified with much more
certainty and the pre-market smoking evaluations could then be
made by panel smokers corresponding to that segmcrt. Such
knowledge, of course. Is primarily of importance in the smoking
and health field, since it may validate the susceptible minority
hypothesis. The first step is to develop the techniques required
to carry out such a study and the meeting agreed that this ought
to be done.
8. Proc2r!urol @, Tr,
a! Vi s! t s
After discussion. it was agreed that visits by
research staff to other laboratories within% the
group are essential !or collabomtion, but , they
are also necessary to e=ble the research staff
to do their cwn vork proparly. It was also
suC.;;asred that in addition. naeti=;s at the level
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of the present one, there could be grea: value
in joint meetings at bench level.
b) Revorts
T'he present system of report is satisfactory
to all members. but it was generally agreed that
there was insufficient feedbLch to the originating
laboratories. One point requiring attention was
inadequate reference to earlier work.
c) IMOTMC-tion Retrieval
Dr. Griffith reviewed the new systems being
developed and suggested that a system such
as this should be considered for the group. The
need for compatabiUty means that the group research
requirements for information retrieval should be
looked at as a whole, by someone who is a scientist
and has experience with computers and dr-ta
processing. Dr. Green agreed to investigate the
possibility of laitiating this au.-Vey.
d) Patents
The current practice In patent filing and renewal
within the group was reviewed. It was felt that
although particularly In Canada. machinery patients
had been profitable. on balance too =uch emphasis
in the past had been placed on process and machinery
patents. In future, an attempt will be made to put
much mor& amphasis on product patents.
e) Stere-ardisEtion
It was agreed that where feasible. group standards
should be adopted. but the local conditions for most
companies In practice demand the adoption of
different standards. It was *rnpbazisod that for
any smoke measurement, the number of cigarettes
should be determined by the statistical significance
sought. With the alm of comparing relativa results
from the paramoeciurn bio-assay test. Hamburg
agreed to circulate samples of three typos of
cigarette to Louisville, Mom-r-al, Sydney and
Southr mpton.
f) Divcnr i f i cz. tinn
It was agreed that diversificction does affect t;-.e
morale of research staff. It was also felt that in
sorne conmpazucs there is particular expe rt
avail-ble which could be helpful In diversification
exercises but which Is at present not used. Vi'.0re
laboratory staff had been used in divarsificrtion
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this wzs felt in general to have enriched
their experience rand made them better In the
tobacco work. Whe re R. & D. staff can make
a contribution it is highly desirable they should
do so, provided mat in the long run, the
approved proor;ar-wie of work on tobacco and
Smoke is not eroded.
g) Corprta
A di =ussion was held on d*velopments within
%..oresta and the question was raised an the
advisability of other companies joining. Dr.
Greon said that in general. this wets contrary
to present B.A.T. policy. The German company
3 a member for very special reascrns. The
German company will keep the group Informed
of developments and will supply copies of the
Bulletin for circulation to Louisville. Montreal,
Sydney and Southampton.
9. R e c c" 1,tsurn--t!cn!;
The follo--ving were agreed:
Research can be profitable although we are in
an industry where new products generally cannot
be attributable directly to research.
21 Nicotine is Important and there Is probably a
i-',r.imum le-.el of nicotine to which for many
people the habituated effects of smoking are
attributable. The form. of nicotine probably
affects the rate of absorption by %he smoker.
3) Government involvon. ant in the tobacco industry
will become greater in the future.
4) The smoking and health V. oblam is amenable to
a research solution. This Is a significant change
in thinking end is a direct result. of research.
S) Product characteristics are important In maintaining
sales and for Improving the market.
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