660 



PHILIP MORRIS 



U.8.A. 



RESEAflCM CENTER; P.O. BOX 26SU. RICHMOND. VIRGINIA 23381 -aSSS TELEPHONE (804) 874.2000 



May 9, 1994 



VIA TELEFAX 



The Honorable Henry A. Waxxnan 



Chairman 



Subcommittee on Health and the Enviroiunent 



Committee on Energy and Commerce 



2415 Raybum House Office Building 



Washington, DC 20515^118 



Dear Mr. Waxman: 



During the April 28, 1994, hearing before the Hoiise Energy & Commerce 

 Subcommittee on Health and the Environment, you and Representative 

 Wyden referred to portions of the testimony diat I presented to the 

 Subcommittee on April 14, 1994. In particular, you referred to the following 

 statement, found in the imoffidai transcript that I have reviewed: The strict 

 pharmacological definition of addiction involves three different criteria: they 

 are intoxication, physical dependence and tolerance. And to my knowledge, 

 there is no evidence that nicotine or cigarette smoking plays in any of these 

 definitions." 



The subject of addiction is scientifically complex and is further complicated by 

 a great deal of semantic confusion. Diirlng the hearing, the rapid pace of 

 questioning and the Subcommittee's frequent insistence on "yes or no" 

 answers inhibited a full discussion of the topic. Accordingly, I am writing this 

 letter to clear up any misunderstandings that may have led you and 

 Representative Wyden to challenge my views. 



As I tried to explain during the hearing, there is much debate within the 

 scientific commimity regarding the meaning of "addiction" and the scientific 

 criteria that must be met before classifying a substance as addictive. Given the 

 terminological confusion in this area, I believe that an inquiry into a 

 substance's so-called addictive properties should focus on the extent to which 

 the substance is associated with the pharmacological phenomena of 

 intoxication, tolerance, and physical dependence (as characterized by 

 withdrawal). 



MARCSORO BENSON * HCEXaES MCRfT VIRGINIA SUMS MRUAMENT UOhTS PLATERS SARATOOA CAMBRlOOE ALPINE MULTlf)LTER 



