512 



M»nutes fro<'r> a Meeting in 



Greenwich 7-1B-72 at. 

 Mr. l_. A. Bantle's Office 



S. B. Erlandson 

 W. W. VJalson 

 T. B. O'Grady 

 W. J, Leinen 

 W. R. Quail 



Mr. L, A, Bantle opened the meeting by explaining that "Lotus" is the code 

 name for snno*<el«ss tobacco in e portion pack form. This projec: is being 

 \ aunched this fall in S^-^eden by Swedish Tobacco Company. It is an under- 

 standing bet^ec^ ^^"^ Swedish Tobacco Company .and United States Tobacco 

 to Keep one another informed and to cooperate on this project. 



Mr. Bantle further declared that he wanted a Lotu£ product for the U.S. marks: 

 as soon as possible and that this product should not be a Conenhagen or SKoal' 

 in the portion pack form, but an entirely ngw prnriijrt aimpc g- new cp nsum.(?r<;, 

 nnainly cigarette smokers. 



Asked what information research co^^ld contribute towards the possible acceplance 

 of the Lotus idea by the consumer, Mr. O'Grady stated that 



1. float 



2. lipburn 



3. size of pinch 



were dominating factors in creating problemis for new users to get accustomed 

 to smokeless. The Lotus idea could to c great extent overcome these problems, 

 thereby making it easier to open up a large- market. 



Mr. Bantle explained that in agreennent with Swedish Tobacco Company, United 

 Scandia International is going to offer Lotus to the international market. The 

 product USI will offer may be choosen from either of the two mother companies, 

 whichever company USI thinks is making the right product for X market. Thi£ 

 could rnecn that several products might have to be developed although the ideal 

 situation would be if the U.S. -Lotus could be used worldwide-. 



To accomplish a sound an rapid development of the Lotus project, Mr. Bantle 

 declared that he wanted to set up a special task force with the following pai'ticipan; 



U.S.I. 

 P. e. Lindqvist 

 VV. \A/. Vi/atson 



-CONFIDENTIAL" 

 ."This document is subject to « protec- 

 tive Older stid nether it nor its 

 contents may be sho^rn. discussed or 

 disclosed eicept in accordance with hA 

 order." 



United States Tobzcco Co. 



W. B. Bennett VAT. J. Leinen 



E. J. Boyd C. A. Nickolous 



R. T. Gaddxs T. B. O'Gredy (C" 



J. W. Haury R. 1-. Rossi rr- 



UST E000004026 



