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is still an employee of Brown & Williamson and he'll get back to 

 you in writing on the answer to that question. 



Mr. Waxman. Project Aries is an example of changing the design 

 of a filter to let more nicotine through. Did your company ever in- 

 vestigate, test market, or commercially produce other filters that 

 were designed to or had the effect of letting more nicotine than tar 

 through? 



Mr. Sandefur. Not to my knowledge, but I — the company may 

 have done before my time or there may be som.e design that I'm 

 unfamiliar with. Congressman. 



Mr. Waxman. Over the years, many benefits have been claimed 

 for tobacco and I'm curious as to whether you see any benefits of 

 smoking other than taste. Do you believe that smoking is relaxing? 



Mr. Sandefur. It certainly is relaxing to me, yes, sir. 



Mr. Waxman. Is it useful in relieving stress? 



Mr. Sandefur. It is to me, yes, sir. I'm giving you my personal 

 opinion. 



Mr. Waxman. But how about for others? 



Mr. Sandefur. I have 



Mr. Waxman. Do you think it has that impact on people? 



Mr. Sandefur. I've certainly heard that, yes, sir. 



Mr. Waxman. OK. Is it helpful in losing weight? 



Mr. Sandefur. I've heard that as well. I don't know — I don't 

 think it helped me any, but I've heard that it helped some people. 



Mr. Waxman. Well, you've heard that. Do you believe it? 



Mr. Sandefur. Well, I don't know. It's like my mama used to tell 

 me that smoking would stunt my growth. I don't know that I would 

 have grown any more if I had not smoked, but I think there are 

 these 



Mr. Waxman. I always wonder if I would have grown some more 

 if I hadn't smoked, but what is your company's view on these sub- 

 jects? You are giving us your personal ones. What is your compa- 

 ny's views on the subject 



Mr. Sandefur. My 



Mr. Waxman. Let me finish the question. What is your compa- 

 ny's views on whether smoking is relaxing? 



Mr. Sandefur. I think our company's view is, yes, it is relaxing. 



Mr. Waxman. How about useful in relieving stress? 



Mr. Sandefur. Yes, I think my company would take that view. 



Mr. Waxman. And losing weight? 



Mr. Sandefur. I don't think I've ever heard our scientists give 

 a view of that, no, sir. 



Mr. Waxman. OK. Well, I want to thank you for your testimony. 

 And I want to tell you this discussion we've had about getting to- 

 gether with the other chief executive officers and discussing this 

 issue is not something I just say in passing. 



Mr. Sandefur. I understand that. 



Mr. Waxman. I've introduced legislation for years on the smoking 

 issue because I believe as a matter of national policy we ought to 

 discourage people from smoking and I'm especially concerned about 

 young people, but the tobacco industry has consistently opposed 

 any legislation that I have introduced. 



If there is a chance for a new cooperative relationship where we 

 can look at these problems and try to work together, I welcome it. 



