we approach the proceedings today from the benefit of a wisdom 

 that can only be achieved through experience. 



In this case, the experience is very recent because we have been 

 down this road before. Just a month ago, allegations were flying in 

 the media about nicotine spiking. In response, top executives from 

 the major tobacco companies came before us voluntarily and under 

 oath to put these unfounded claims to rest and to set the record 

 straight. Hopefully, the process will allow for a similar fair hearing 

 for all concerned regarding this issue. 



In conclusion, I am here to listen. But because we have the bene- 

 fit of hearing only one side of the issue here today, additionsd ques- 

 tions surely will arise. Therefore, this hearing should be viewed as 

 but part of a larger process that allows both sides of the issue to 

 be properly aired. 



Mr. Waxman. Thank you, Mr. Bliley. I agree with your comments 

 that this is one part of a series that will be available for us to get 

 the information to the subcommittee. 



Mr. Synar? 



Mr. Synar. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As early as 40 years ago, 

 researchers informed Americans of the harmful effects of smoking. 

 The industry continues to deny the deadliness of smoking. On April 

 14th of this year, the CEO's of the seven major U.S. tobacco compa- 

 nies flatly denied, while under oath, that nicotine is addictive and 

 that smoking causes cancer. 



Today, Dr. Victor DeNoble, the former associate senior scientist 

 with Philip Morris, will tell us a different story. His testimony will 

 directly contradict the tobacco executives' statements that nicotine 

 is not addictive, and it will show that the companies have proof of 

 nicotine's addictiveness. 



Now, why do our executives continue to deny it? Because to do 

 anything else would subject them to expensive and immediate li- 

 ability. This concealment, coupled with the industry's continued di- 

 rect targeting of children, is criminal. 



Americans are beginning to demand some answers from tobacco 

 companies, not to bring back the 8 million lives lost, but to prevent 

 the next generation of children from taking up this addiction that 

 will, in all likelihood, result in their deaths. 



I look forward to this important and revealing accumulation of 

 information today in the continuing battle with the largest prevent- 

 able cause of death in our society. 



[The opening statement of Mr. S3niar follows:] 



Statement of Hon. Mike Synar 



As early as 40 years ago, researchers informed Americans of the harmful effects 

 of smoking. In the years since the 1964 Surgeon General's Report on Smoking, the 

 tobacco industry has continuously denied the deadliness of smoking. 



On April 14, 1994, the CEO's of the seven major U.S. tobacco companies flatly 

 denied, while under oath, that nicotine is addictive and that smoking causes cancer. 

 Today, Dr. Victor DeNoble, former Associate Senior Scientist with Philip Morris, 

 will testify concerning an article entitled, "Nicotine as a Positive Reinforcer in Rats: 

 Effects of Infusion Dose and Fixed Ratio Size", which he submitted to 

 Pyschopharmacology on May 16, 1983. His article, never published because he was 

 forced to retract it by Philip Morris, concluded that "all the rats initiated and main- 

 tained nicotine self-administration." This directly contradicts the tobacco executives' 

 statements that nicotine is not addictive. It shows the companies had proof of nico- 

 tine's addictiveness. 



