Section III 
where their individual smoking behavior places them on a dose continuum. 
What diseases you develop, whether it be cancer or anything else, is often 
associated with the dose that you receive, and individuals need to know 
what dose they are receiving. There may be other research questions, and 
I will open it up for Dr. Rickert and Dr. Shiffman to comment. 
DR. SHIFFMAN: I would add only that in addition to refining our knowledge 
in these areas that there may be some very different products for smokers on 
the horizon. We heard some indication of those in the press, and the system 
would have to be very carefully considered in order to properly evaluate new 
kinds of products aimed at smokers. 
DR. FREEMAN: I think using research in a different way, we need to better 
understand the way the people in power deal with tobacco in America. It is 
a substance that is high in the economy. 
If cigarettes were invented today, they probably would be outlawed since 
they kill 400,000 people a year. However, it is deeply integrated into our 
economy. It affects policymaking. Sometimes there is a conflict, in my 
opinion, between making regulations and trying to balance the budget. 
America in one of its Government roles is saying that tobacco kills 
400,000 American people. Other parts of Government are selling it overseas 
and growing it in America. These are deep problems. They require further 
research and knowledge and action. 
Are there other questions? 
If not, I would like to conclude by expressing my privilege of chairing 
this committee. We brought together the best experts in America on the 
subject. Dr. Dietrich Hoffmann, for example, is one of the pioneers in the 
study of tobacco, and there were others, and it is a privilege to chair this 
committee. It is our hope that these deliberations will have an effect on the 
American public with respect to saving lives and preventing disease. 
Thank you very much. 
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