214 



propenies (peripheral nenous systems effects) There are manv 

 opportunities for acquinng propnetary compounds which can serve as a 

 firm foundation for new and mnovative products in the future. 



The program is justified in my view as a defensive response to the anti- 

 smoking forces criticisms of nicotine and also as fundamental research 

 into the nature of our product and how it affects our customers, the 

 smokers. This entire program involves complex technological problems 

 and the benefits to be derived from the program will not be realized 

 immediately. Indeed the benefits will necessarily be of a long-term 

 nature and may have direct bearing on our market position in a 10-15 

 year time frame. However, if we do not have the basic research results 

 this program will provide we will not be in a position to respond if and 

 when the pressures to change do occur. (Emphasis added.) 



In addition to the internal documents that have become available, of which we 



have cited only a few, there is extensive evidence about the tobacco industry's 



intent to manipulate its products and particularly the nicotine content of the 



cigarettes contained in patent applications. A preliminary review by petitioners 



indicates that the patents filed both here in the United States as well as in Europe 



are numerous. The patents go back well into the 1960s, indicating the tobacco 



industry's ongoing efforts to manipulate the tobacco product. A few examples are 



noted below. A 1971 Philip Morris patent (#3,584.630) reflects the technological 



applications of the strategies revealed in the tobacco industry's internal 



confidential documents. 



This invention relates to a tobacco product containing a nicotine- 

 releasing agent and to a method for releasing a controlled amount of 

 nicotine into tobacco smoke. More particularly, the invention relates to 

 tobacco products containing an agent for releasing nicotine into tobacco 

 smoke which agent permits storage of tobacco products containing said 

 agent for prolonged periods of time, without substantial loss of the 

 nicotine associated with said agent. The agent provides for the release of 

 nicotine in controlled amounts, when tobacco smoke is passed in contact 

 with the nicotine-containing agent. 



It has long been known in the tobacco industry that in order to provide a 

 satisfactory smoke, it is desirable to maintain the nicotine content of 

 tobacco products at a uniform level. However, it is difficult to accomplish 

 this result since the nicotine content of tobacco varies widely, depending 

 on the type of tobacco and the conditions under which the tobacco is 

 grown. 



Maintaining the nicotine content at a sufficiently high level to provide 

 the desired physiological activity, taste, and odor which this material 

 imparts to the smoke, without raising the nicotine content to an 



