78 



The issue is what compounds will be formed through combustion 

 and pyrolysis. What other compounds will be formed. We know 

 when you pyrolyze a compound, other compounds are formed. I 

 think it is very important for the industry to not only make avail- 

 able the list of compounds but to make available its — any pyrolysis 

 studies that have been undertaken as well as any toxicity studies 

 on the inhalation products either of the direct additives or any 

 newly formed compounds by combustion or pyrolysis. 



Mr. Wyden. My understanding is that at this point, there is very 

 little research data along the lines that you are talking about that 

 the tobacco industry, after it put out its list of ingredients said look 

 folks, everything is fine. Because you can see these kinds of chemi- 

 cals in that cookie you eat, that ought to close the debate. 



We got letters from Federal agencies saying that they wanted the 

 kind of information that you are talking about, the health effects 

 of these chemicals being smoked or burned and my understanding 

 there is very little research to date on that; is that correct? 



Mr. Kessler. It is very important. We are certainly restricted in 

 our analysis by simply looking at that list. If you go to just the 

 published literature, you don't get all the answers on what are all 

 the possible pyrolysis products of those additives and it is really 

 their products and their toxicity that needs to be examined, Mr. 

 Wyden. 



Mr. Wyden. Dr. Kessler, this has been very helpful. It seems to 

 me crystal clear where your Agency is headed, whether or not Con- 

 gress acts on this issue whatsoever. I, for one, think it is very help- 

 ful that the Food and Drug Administration is calling this on the 

 basis of science and not politics. 



I think there is a serious question about whether the tobacco ex- 

 ecutives, when they came before this subcommittee deliberately 

 and intentionally misled this subcommittee with respect to the in- 

 dustry's ability to control nicotine levels and, fortunately, you all 

 at the agency are setting aside these kinds of considerations and 

 letting the scientific facts fall where they ought to as part of an ad- 

 ministrative record and I think the American people ought to be 

 very clear where that record is heading this country in terms of 

 smoking policy and I appreciate your testimony. 



I yield back, Mr. Chairman. 



Mr. Waxman. Thank you, Mr. Wyden. 



Mr. Franks. 



Mr. Franks. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



Dr. Kessler, I, too, have found your testimony and charges very 

 intriguing. However, I am always somewhat skeptical when I only 

 hear one side of the story and Dr. Kessler, thougn I have a concern 

 for the entire tobacco industry for various reasons, commerce, indi- 

 vidual rights and also having family members in North Carolina 

 that once grew tobacco, I have a particular concern about the 

 smokeless tobacco industry since I have a major manufacturer 

 based in my State. 



And my question to you would be: How much of your comments 

 would be applicable to the smokeless tobacco industry? 



Mr. Kessler. Congressman, I talked a little about that in my 

 last testimony — some of the promotional activities and some of the 

 evidence that had been released over the years that relate to nico- 



