487 



aiLL A.vT> KSOVLTON. inc. 



COHFIDEHTIAL 



Fl'SUC RELA7ICNS R£?OBT 



to the 



TOBACCO IKDUSTRY PiSEAPCH CCMMinSE 

 April 28. 1955 



The foundation vhlch the To"bacco Industry Research Cnrm1 ttee 

 has 'been 'building is gaining strength in bnDth 'breadth and depth. T^e 

 progress of the scientific prcgraj: develcped 'by the Scientific Advisory 

 Ecard is an essential end pervading force. IV.e sound approach to the 

 prc'ble^: by the Scientific Ad\-lscry Beard has encouraged other qualified 

 scientists to speak out courageously in questioning those vho would 

 liTlte off the lung cancer prcbler: as a 6~.oid.ng pro'blea. 



Of necessity, efforts to bring the kncvn facts 'before the 

 pu'blic continue to be in the nature of an educational caipalgn -- slow, 

 unsensatlcnal, factxial. Neither the clrcur.stances nor the available 

 loforsatlon lend themselves to the sensational treatsient accorde;! the 

 aajor indictments of tobacco 'jse. 



Factors Show leproved Position 



Nevertheless, progress has been made. On the positive side, 

 these factors stand out: 



1. Tne first "big scare" continues on the wane. Eiere l8 

 much general awareness of the big IF factors Involved. In sooe In- 

 stances, the accusers have gone to such extremes that their credibility 

 is being questioned by their colleagues in their own profession. 



2. The research prograr. of the Tobacco Industry Research 

 CoEstlttee has won wide acceptance in the scientific world as a sincere, 

 valua'ble and scientific effort. IVils is due prL-narily to the stature 

 of the men serving on the Scientific Advisory Board, the soundness of 

 the research prograia developed, the csiliber of research so far approved, 

 and of the investigators receiving grants. 



3. The status of the Tobacco Industry Research Cocaiilttee 

 Itself has 'been eahanced by the freedon of action granted scientist*, 

 the increase to $1 million of research funds, and the o'bvlous sincerity 

 of approach to the probleris. Both goverrxentel and institutional groups 

 in the field of health have shown recognition of the contribution the 

 Tobacco Industry Research CcDilttee is making. 



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