496 



2. 



of Drs. Little euad Hockett, steps are beljig worked out to give doctora aod ecl- 

 eatists greater knovledge of the scope, coopositlon and nature of the prograa. 



Mea::vhlle, the TLRC contlnuea Iccreasingly to benefit froa the leadership 

 which Dr. Little, Dr. Hockett and the neicbers of the SAB are providing. Dr. 

 Little's forthconilng editorial and speeches vlLl he a further contribution to 

 the prestige of the TIRC research program. 



The Recent Months 



A factor that has beccnae more noticeable since the last TIRC meeting Is 

 that, more and more, doctors and scientists are voluntarily speaking up at med- 

 ical meetings to express disagreement with the flat charges made against to- 

 bacco. They do not exonerate tobacco but say that the case against smoking has 

 not been proved emd that much more evidence Is needed. 



Another aspect that also is becoalng more appejent is the greater emphasis 

 being placed by scientists in this country and abroad on the role, of air pollu- 

 tion as the major cause of I'-ing cancer. Two recent scientific reports on air 

 pollution and health received national newspaper attention. The subject is be- 

 ing treated by the press as a new, Interesting and important phase of the over- 

 all situation. 



Meanwhile, reports adverse to tobacco froa two major sources, which pre- 

 vlo-osly received much publicity, were largely ignored by the press In recent 

 months because of their apparent failure to contribute ajiythiog pertinent or 

 different to the problem. 



In England the sit-jation as regards the press appears to be quite differ- 

 ent than that in this country. Tnere is frequent and increasing mention of at- 

 tacks on smoking in. the British press. 



Tne Future 



Smoking and health vlll be the subject of many papers and sysposla at 

 scientific meetings during the next several months. Sane of the papers vlU be 

 given by TIRC grantees, one of whom is scheduled to present an exhibit and paper 

 at three medical meetings. Several grantees have submitted papers on their re- 

 search findings to date for publication in professional Journals. 



Reports by grantees, whether they are made at meetings or appear in scien- 

 tific Journals, may lead to requests from the press for cement by TIBC. Re- 

 gardless of what the reports say, TIRC Intends only to restate its guarantee of 

 canplete scientific freedom to thos*" who have received, and will receive, re- 

 search grants. Such action will en.- ance the acceptability and sincerity of 

 TIRC '6 research prograa with the scientific world and the public at large. 



Several TIRC grantees already have presented papers at separate medical 

 meetings but none received any press mention. 



Meetings at which smoking and health are expected to be discussed: 



1. Feb. 2U, Long Island sub -section of the American Chealcel Society, 

 Brooklyn. The entire day is devoted to tobacco. The morning session, to be 



