Reporter on Smoking and Health, October-November, 1963
Dr. Levine's letter concludes:
"We realize the tobacco industry is faced with a serious problem because of these findings. However, the industry cannot evade responsibility for what it now does about these facts. If it tries to hide then, to deny them, or to minimize them, it thereby assumes responsibility for the harmful consequences to the health of smokers. For this the industry can be held accountable. The attitude expressed in your [The Tobacco Institute's] letter is irresponsible and contrary to the public interest."
The New York Times reported that Dr. Levin told them by telephone that the cigarette companies' position (that there was no health hazard in smoking) could lead to legal actions by cigarette users who later develop disease. A user might assert that he had relied upon tobacco company assurances.
--Excerpt from Reporter on Smoking and Health, Oct-Nov., 1963 in article on Dr. Morton Levin's letter to the Tobacco Institute
REPORTER ON SMOKING AND HEALTH
Vol. 1, No. 4
October-November, 1963
545 West ,11th Street
New York 25, N. Y.
UNiversity 5-7574
BIG NEWS: ED MURROW - VICTIM OF SMOKERS' CANCER page 2
U. N. MAGAZINE COMPARES KILLING POWER OF CIGARETTES WITH ATOMIC BOMBS page 3
FORCES OF LIFE VS. FORCES OF DEATH -page 4
CURB ON CIGARETTES URGED IN CALIFORNIA--page 5
BRITISH POSTER CAMPAIGN USES HARD-HITTING SLOGANS--page 6
P. T. A. ATTACKS TOBACCO ADS--page 7
ANOTHER CHALLENGE TO DR. LITTLE--page 8
POSITION OF DR. CLARENCE W. LIEB--page 9
AIR POLLUTION MYTH EXPLODED--page 10
EDITED BY JOSEPH BEN-DAVID
Vol 1, No. 4, (2)
BIG NEWS
ED MURROW - VICTIM OF SMOKERS CANCER
Edward R. Murrow, distinguished CBS broadcaster, now Director of the United States Information Agency, is experiencing the horrors of lung cancer caused by cigarette smoking.
Murrow, 54, suffered a sore throat and hoarseness during a recent speech in Philadelphia. A week later he had his left lung removed during a three-hour operation. The location of the cancerous growth made it necessary to remove the entire organ.
The news about this tragic event appeared, if at all, as an inconspicuous announcement in the press. Whether such important news was deliberately suppressed by cynical editors and feature writers or not is immaterial
This victim is not just a simple statistical figure representing one anonymous number in this year's 47,000 cases of lung cancer in the United States. He is an intellectual symbol whose face and voice are known to millions. He is a great public-success symbol and his career and habits are admired and imitated by the masses.
Some time ago Murrow acted as a television star of "See it Now", dedicating two of his programs to an inquiry into cigarettes and lung cancer. Confessed Mr. Murrow: "Smoking is a habit to which I am addicted. Since I've been in this business I have smoked 60 to 70 cigarettes a day. I doubt very much that I could spend a half hour without a cigarette with any comfort or ease,"
Murrow, the cigarette addict, acted as one of the most potent unpaid salesmen of the tobacco industry's pernicious products. As the late Roy Norr said: "Ed Murrow apparently feels that he looks his romantic best sitting with arm draped over a chair, cigarette in hand and puffing clouds of smoke at 'Person to Person.'" The fact remains, however, that Mr. Murrow did not realize that he was actually killing himself and setting a bad example for his devoted viewers.
The deadly myth connected with Ed Murrow's tobacco habit was demonstrated pictorially and verbally in a well-known national magazine featuring a six-page dialogue between the commentator and the beautiful German actress, Maria Schell. This editorial stresses "the graceful hand, so perfectly feminine, contrasting sharply with the strong hands of Murrow holding his inevitable trademark - a cigarette." The central pictures show a close-up of Maria Schell's hand with a cigarette and a conspicuous wedding ring, symbol of legitimate motherhood and contented family life. Other full-page portraits depict Murrow deeply inhaling smoke, and Schell's profile, eyes dreamingly gazing into the mystical smoke rising from the lighted end of her cigarette. The article stressed Murrow's "uncompromisingly honest reports on the state of the world and the nation" and Schell's idealistic thoughts about motherhood. They both
Vol. I, No. 4, (3)
agree that a parent can teach his child to tell the truth. But shouldn't a parent like Mr. Murrow tell his sixteen year old son, Casey, the truth and the full truth about smoking?
Mr. Murrow is now confronted with the greatest challenge of his life. As the head of the powerful U. S. Information Agency, it is one of his duties to submit evidence to the peoples of other nations, through all methods of communication, that the objectives of the United States are in harmony with and advance their legitimate aspirations for progress. Anti-smoking education would certainly help advance the progress of health and save the lives of millions of innocent victims of this habit.
It is significant to note that Mr. Murrow's predecessor, George V. Allen, is now President of the Tobacco Institute, which is indeed the position of propaganda minister in the tobacco empire. It is apparent that there is an enormous influence of the tobacco industry on our publicity media, particularly the press, radio, television and the movie industry. Personalities representing smoking hero symbols engaged in these fields have a better chance to make a quick career.
It is to be hoped that Mr. Murrow will now hasten to struggle against the tobacco menace. He has the sympathy of the public, and it is to be wished that he be one of the few who recover from this deadly disease.
Vol. 1, No. 4, (3)
UNITED NATIONS MAGAZINE COMPARES THE KILLING POWER OF CIGARETTES WITH THE KILLING POWER OF THE ATOMIC BOMB
The Magazine of the World Health Organization of the United Nations reported that cigarettes can have as much killing power as bombs:
"Unless some of the foremost doctors of our time are wrong... cigarettes are as lethal in their cumulative killing power as any bomb."
The report stresses that in 1959 the United Nations' World Health Organization appointed a Study Group on the epidemiology of Lung Cancer, which came to the unanimous conclusion
"...that there was no reason to modify the conclusions reached by a number of official, voluntary and other scientific bodies that the sum total of the evidence available today was most reasonably interpreted as indicating that cigarette smoking is a major causative factor in the increasing incidence of human carcinoma (cancer) of the lung."
Replying to the criticism of pro-tobacco spokesmen, the Study Group agreed that:
"... none could be considered as casting any serious doubt on the conclusions reached on the basis of the extensive studies made."
Recent findings have made this evidence incontrovertible.
Vol. 1, No. 4, (4)
FORCES OF LIFE VS. FORCES OF DEATH
Unscrupulous promoters of the tobacco industry are using all available means to mislead the general public into a false belief that their products are not harmful. The major tobacco concerns have engaged an army of scientists, public relations specialists and other experts to seduce youth into the habit, and to stimulate adult smokers to smoke more.
While they removed advertisements from college publications, they stepped up their propaganda campaigns by making statements designed to confuse the real issues.
It is absolutely sickening to hear Mr. George V. Allen, President of the Tobacco Institute, address the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture and to proclaim arrogantly, at a time when it is conclusively proved that tobacco causes the premature death of large numbers of people: "There is some danger of losing sight of what ought to be the basic objective of all concerned - to expedite the research still necessary to find out what actually causes the diseases in question and what role, if any, tobacco may play."
It is even more sickening to read in the papers that two social scientists of the American Tobacco Company challenged the idea that cigarette smoking is statistically associated with the death from lung cancer Spreading such a notion is especial y vicious because the cancer-causing effects have been clearly demonstrated, not only statistically, but also in many laboratory and clinical studies made by scientists of highest reputation and moral integrity.
But here comes the American Tobacco Company and hires a psychologist, Dr. Jacob Cohen, who together with Mr. Robert K. Heiman, Assistant to the President of the American Tobacco Company, begin to dig-up certain, already scientifically refuted statistical claims, cleverly interjecting the limited effects of air pollution, secondary statistical discrepancies, and a highly controversial study of tobacco employees conducted by the tobacco industry. These social scientists would go even so far to include a statistically insignificant but psychologically impressive fact that the monumental epidemiological studies conducted by the American Cancer Society reveal a very minute higher incidence of suicides among nonsmokers.
The $5,000,000,000 tobacco industry - the No. 1 killer of the nation -- was recently challenged by an agency of the New York State Department of Health.
Dr. Morton L. Levin of the Roswell Park Memorial Institute in Buffalo, a state cancer research-treatment center, wrote to the presidents of seven leading tobacco companies suggesting that they voluntarily label all cigarette boxes with a warning that excessive smoking is dangerous to health.
George V. Allen, President of the Tobacco Institute, answered as one would expect from a man in his shoes; namely, that the industry did not believe such warning labels be justified until there was more conclusive evidence available.
Dr. Levin, one of the most competent and courageous scientists in the country, answered Mr. Allen stating that the preponderance of scientific, medical and public health opinion was directly opposite to the Tobacco Institute's position. To prove
Vol. 1, No. 4, (5)
his point he submitted a list of "facts on the relation between disease and smoking regarding which there are no substantial differences of opinion on the part of scientists, who have studied the question. " He named "23 responsible health officials and agencies" who concluded that smoking is a cause of many fatal diseases, particularly lung cancer, heart attacks and chronic emphysema, a disabling lung disease.
Dr. Levin's letter concludes:
"We realize the tobacco industry is faced with a serious problem because of these findings. However, the industry cannot evade responsibility for what it now does about these facts. If it tries to hide then, to deny them, or to minimize them, it thereby assumes responsibility for the harmful consequences to the health of smokers. For this the industry can be held accountable."
"The attitude expressed in your letter is irresponsible and contrary to the public interest. We, therefore, suggest that the industry further consider the advisability of recognizing the health hazard of cigarette smoking, either by warning labels on cigarette packages or by other methods."
The New York Times reported that Dr. Levin told them by telephone that the cigarette companies' position (that there was no health hazard in smoking) could lead to legal actions by cigarette users who later develop disease. A user might assert that he had relied upon tobacco company assurances.
Such is the struggle of the forces of life vs. the forces of death; the true servants of the public vs. the servants of the ruthless tobacco industry.
* * * * *
CURB ON CIGARETTES URGED IN CALIFORNIA
The California State Board of Public Health proposed that legislative action to reduce cigarette smoking should be taken no later then 1965.
Dr. Lester Breslow, Chief of the Division of Preventive Medical Services of the Public Health Department, offered the suggestion as a part of a program based on a 56-page report reviewing the "cigarette smoking and health" situation.
Said Dr. Breslow:
"The evidence now indicates that cigarette smoking has such a profoundly harmful effect on health that it should be abandoned. While the task ahead seems enormous, it is unavoidable."
* * * *
MAINE UNIVERSITY BANS CIGARETTE ADVERTISING
A brief but significant report comes from Orono, Maine. The University of Maine banned cigarette advertising in its fall football programs.
Vol. 1, No. 4, (6)
BRITISH POSTER CAMPAIGN USES HARD-HITTING SLOGANS .
While the American Medical Association is engaged in an organizational ostrich policy regarding the destructive effects of tobacco on the population of the United States, the British Medical Association accepted with dignity its professional and moral responsibility and is making earnest efforts to combat this deadly habit.
Recently the British Central Council for Health Education launched a new campaign which was preceded by a contest and a week-long exhibition of posters. First prize was awarded to one depicting a dull looking youth with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth, and the caption: "Don't be a Drag - Give it Up - Live it Up."
The British Government announced that more than 1 million posters warning of the damages of cigarette smoking had been distributed in British schools and clinics.
Lord Newton proclaimed in the House of Lords that "deaths from lung cancer are now running at the rate of about 500 a week, or one every 20 minutes."
P.T.A. ATTACKS TOBACCO ADS
The National Congress of Parents and Teachers challenged the "smoke washing" of teen-agers by glamorized advertising.
1,000 voting delegates adopted overwhelmingly a resolution calling for a stepping up of its efforts against teen age smoking, and for an invitation of representatives from the tobacco and advertising industries to discuss current advertising techniques.
A small group of defeatists said in private that they thought it was futile for the Congress to challenge forces as powerful as Madison Avenue and the tobacco industry.
The National Congress of Parents and Teachers is to be congratulated for its integrity and courage in joining the struggle against the tobacco menace.
ATHLETES URGED TO TURN DOWN TOBACCO ENDORSEMENTS
The representative assembly of the American Association for Health, Physical Education, and Recreation adopted a formal resolution urging professional athletes to help discourage the advertising of tobacco.
The resolution was adopted because the delegates came to the conclusion that "hero worshiping" has an effect on highly impressionable high school students who tend to copy their heroes. They called on professional athletes to halt the use of advertising showing prominent sports figures endorsing tobacco products.
Vol. 1, No. 4, (8)
ANOTHER CHALLENGE TO DR. LITTLE
Follow up of the correspondence of your editor with Dr. Clarence C. Little of the Tobacco Industry Research Committee. The first letter was published in Vol. 1, No. 2, of the Reporter on Smoking and Health.
May 6, 1963
Dr. Clarence C. Little
Scientific Director
Tobacco Industry Research Co Committee
150 East 42nd Street
New York 17, N. Y.
Dear Dr. Little:
Thank you for your rote of April 25. I regret that my letter of April 20 upset you to such a degree that you find it impossible to respond to it rationally.
My letter did not contain any scientific statement and, therefore, cannot be dismissed as non-scientific bias -- unless all people who disagree with your minority opinion about the effects of Tobacco fall into the same category.
You are also accusing me of emotional bias, a term which calls for further examination.
Science is certainly one of the most effective tools enabling us to gain better Knowledge of reality in its widest sense. But elevating science to an absolute is in itself most unscientific because it leads to the creation of a totalitarian cult, subordinating all other categories of life to its complex, often paradoxical , and sometimes absolutely wrong hypotheses.
I am saying this not to minimize the importance of scientific research, but to put it in its proper perspective by acknowledging its limitations and pitfalls. My own work is based on, and could not be continued without being constantly substantiated by scientific research and findings.
Although pure science must remain a category for itself, using certain true or false basic assumptions, the personality and work of the scientist cannot be divorced from his personal experiences and his general frame of reference. The emotions of a scientist - mainly his humility - are a potential factor often influencing the direction and scope of his research. A scientist with an independent mind, who loves man and mankind will do different things and reach different conclusions than a cold theoretician operating from a plush office using mere abstractions as a basis for his seemingly rational speculations.
Science accepted as an ultimate, divorced from all ethical and human considerations, remains a monstrosity and eventually defeats the only purpose which justifies its existence, namely to help advance civilization and create more humane forms of life. The cardinal question is whether we are ready to accept the scientific evidence proving the destructive effects of tobacco, and use it in the interest of the people, or whether we are deceiving ourselves and others by using scientific-sounding
Vol. 1, No. 4, (9)
arguments and terminology to the detriment of the public.
The smoking problem today calls to mind Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis, who made the shocking discovery that thousands of women were dying at childbirth simply because the doctors who attended them neglected to wash their hands. His life became a series of bitter fights with his lax and arrogant colleagues, which eventually drove him into insanity. Today, the world acknowledges his great contribution to humanity.
In our day the situation is different in that the majority of the medical profession has accepted the link between smoking and disease, but does not dare to take a resolute stand on this issue. It is only a question of time until the 63 million daily-brainwashed tobacco addicts will awake to reality and liberate themselves in spite of all the power and deceit the tobacco industry is using to promote the sale of a product which causes the premature death of 300,000 Americans annually.
There is no question in my mind that the actions of the tobacco industry and its accomplices will go down in history as one of the most flagrant crimes of our age.
These thoughts may give you a new impetus to re-evaluate your own position.
Sincerely yours,
Joseph Ben-David
Editor, Reporter on Smoking and Health
THE POSITION OF DR. CLARENCE W. LIEB
Dr. Clarence W. Lieb, a prominent specialist in gastroenterology and nutrition who served for ten years as chief research advisor to one of America's largest tobacco corporations, is eminently qualified to give advice on the question of smoking.
His extensive clinical studies of the subject convinced him of the harmfulness of tobacco habituation. He is the author of two books: "Safer Smoking," and "Don't [et Smoking Kill You."
Here are his comments about quitting the habit:
"In my previous book I made the statement: 'The writer is emphatically not advocating total tobacco abstinence.' In this book I just as emphatically do advocate it."
"I am doing this because in the intervening four years I have had so many letters from smokers who stressed the fact there was no middle ground in controlling the habit, and that the only cure was complete stoppage of smoking."
"Practically all those who tried moderation soon fell back into their old habits But those who actually stopped, unequivocally, mastered their addiction and are proud of their achievement."
"Moderation is a great virtue, but moderate opium smoking or marijuana indulgence is never advocated. And certainly the same radical measures used in curing dope addiction are justified in the treatment of nicotine addiction!"
Vol. 1, No. 4, (10)
AIR POLLUTION MYTH EXPLODED
The famous Hammond-Horn study of 187,783 men revealed that only a small fraction of the total deaths from lung cancer (probably less than 5%) can be attributed to the effects of air pollution.
CHART:
City of 50,000+ City of 10,000-50,000 Suburb or Town Rural
Smokers
No. Deaths 83 59 67 52
No. Men 28,270 26,133 28,457 23,560
Death Rate
100,000 85.2 70.9 71.7 65.2
Nonsmokers
No. Deaths 4 3 2 0
No. Men 8,481 9,234 11,717 14,136
Death Rate
100,000 14.7 9.3 4.7 -
*Death rate per 100,000
C O N C L U S I O N
Nonsmokers have much smaller death rates from lung cancer than smokers, regardless whether they live in highly air polluted large cities or in rural areas with clean air.
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