USA

WARNING: This site deals only with the corporate corruption of science, and makes no inference about the motives or activities of individuals involved.
    There are many reasons why individuals become embroiled in corporate corruption activities - from political zealotry to over-enthusiastic activism; from gullibility to greed.
    Please read the OVERVIEW carefully, and make up your own mind.

1954 Jan 4: "A Frank Statement to Cigarette Smokers" as it appeared in the New York Times, 4/1/54 [and many other newspapers across America].

A Frank Statement to Cigarette Smokers

    Recent reports on experiments with mice have given wide publicity to a theory that cigarette smoking is in some way linked with lung cancer in human beings. Although conducted by doctors of professional standing, these experiments are not regarded as conclusive in the field of cancer research.

    However, we do not believe that any serious medical research even though its results are inconclusive should be disregarded or lightly dismissed. At the same time, we feel it is in the public interest to call attention to the fact that eminent doctors and research scientists have publicly questioned the claimed significance of those experiments.

    Distinguished authorities point out:

1. That medical research of recent years indicates many possible
       causes of lung cancer.
2. That there is no agreement among the authorities regarding what
       the cause is.
3. That there is no proof that cigarette smoking is one of the causes
4. That statistics purporting to link cigarettes smoking with the
       disease could apply with equal force to any one of many other
       aspects of modern life. Indeed the validity of the statistics
       themselves is questioned by numerous scientists.

    We accept an interest in people's health as a basic responsibility, paramount to every other consideration in our business. We believe the products we make are not injurious to health. We always have and always will cooperate closely with those whose task it is to safeguard the public health.

    For more than 300 years tobacco has given solace, relaxation and enjoyment to mankind. At one time or another during these years critics have held it responsible for practically every disease of the human body. One by one those charges have been abandoned for lack of evidence. Regardless of the record of the past, the fact that cigarette smoking today should even be suspected as a cause of a serious disease is a matter of deep concern to us. Many people have asked us what we are doing to rest the public's concern aroused by the recent reports.

    Here is the answer:

1. We are pledging aid and assistance to the research effort in all phases of tobacco and health. This joint financial aid will of course be in addition to what is already being contributed by individual companies.
   
2. For this purpose we are establishing a joint industry group consisting initially of the undersigned. This group will be known as TOBACCO INDUSTRY RESEARCH COMMITTEE.
   
3. In charge of the research activities of the Committee will be a scientist of unimpeachable integrity and international respect.

    In addition there will be an Advisory Board of scientists disinterested in the cigarette industry. A group of distinguished men from medicine, science, and education will be invited to serve in this Board. These scientists will advise the Committee on its research activities.
  This statement is being issued because we believe the people are entitled to know where we stand on this matter and what we intend to do about it.

    TOBACCO INDUSTRY RESEARCH COMMITTEE
    5400 EMPIRE STATE BUILDING, NEW YORK, NY