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Annotations of documents gleaned from the British American Tobacco Company (BATCO) and BAT Industries documents at the Minnesota Tobacco Industry Document Depository. There are twenty-six boxes, (18 from BATCO, and 8 from BAT Industries (mainly financial statements, which should be of interest to those tracking industry structure). The material in Minnesota represent about ten percent of a larger cache in Guildford, England, also now open to the public. The box numbers here refer only to this Minnesota Select Set but the Bates numbers should be equivalent.

1. 14 February 1984, Product development report, Robert R. Johnson (Brown and Williamson R&D), "The unique differences of Philip Morris cigarette brands," BAT (File no. K762) 109359953 - 983.

   Reverse engineering of PM's ammonia technology, flavorants, casing, etc..

   Notable quotes: "There is more to PM's ammonia processing than simple addition of ammonia which leads to different results. They somehow force much of it to react with tobacco constituents in a manner such that pectin is released, while also forming sugar-ammonia reaction products that contribute to a mild and natural tasting smoke. The pectin forms stable complexes with nicotine that decompose during smoking at favorable temperatures for nicotine transfer. PM's tobaccos appear heavily cased. Sucrose is the major added sugar. Propylene glycol levels are the highest in the U.S. cigarette market. It appears that PM came across a series of powerful flavorants while researching around their ammonia treatments."

2. 24 March 1983, memo from Lionel C.F. Blackman (executive Director R&D) to R.L.O. Ely, "Mr. Peto/ Mr. Sheehy, BAT (File no. M14) 109840668 - 669.

   How to manage a visit from a strong anti-tobacco scientist to the Chairman of BAT? It seems Richard Peto initiated the dialogue via a letter to Sheehy, urging BAT to develop "low-delivery products."

   Notable quotes: I believe it is highly dangerous for Mr Sheehy to meet on the background of discussing whether or not there is a controversy or that evidence for causation is conclusive. I believe it is far better, if a meeting is to be held, that it should avoid the above issue – for which a favourable outcome is highly unlikely – but rather to concentrate on what the industry/BAT has done, and continues to do, by way of research and product modification. The main aim, of course, must be that Mr Peto leaves with the feeling that Mr Sheehy is guiding BAT in a highly responsible manner and that all those concerned in the development of cigarettes have a high integrity and competence."

3. 16 February 1983, minutes of a meeting by L.C.F. Blackman, "Notes of a meeting of the Tobacco Company research directors, BAT (File no. M14) 109840698 - 702.

   Preparing for the third Independent Scientific Committee (a UK Government body) report on cigarette research and design. Imperial, Gallahers, Rothmans, Philip Morris, BAT are represented.

   Notable quotes: "Taken at face value it is milder than we might have expected; but there are subtle implications of constraint for the future of the industry." "While it is widely held that the particulate or tar component of whole smoke is associated with lung cancer, it is 'reasoned' that the gaseous or vapour phase components are associated with the other diseases." "If any future study showed that nicotine either was, or was not, associated with perpetuating the smoking habit, industry could well be called upon to reduce or eliminate nicotine from the product. (A heads we lose, tails we cannot win situation!)" "Compensatory smoking This is also a particularly tricky subject. On the one hand it is commercially sensitive. On the other, it must be in the interest of the industry to get data and speak out against those who claim that the low delivery programme is misleading in that smokers compensate for the low deliveries." "...[A]lthough industry worldwide must strive in the years to come to reduce sidestream emissions and ambient smoke levels, it is difficult to see how any company can hope to gain a commercial advantage from the early introduction of low sidestream products. The main difficulties foreseen are: (a) Advertising the advantages of a new low sidestream product would be detrimental to all their other brands. (B) There will be little or no incentive (or advantage) for a smoker to use a low sidestream product if others in the room are smoking conventional ones."

4. 5 September 1986, conference report, A.L. Heard (BAT Southampton), "Research Conference, Sydney, 1st-5th September 1986," BAT (File no. M14) 109844449 and -459 (partial extract taken).

   A major discussion centered on Canada's Imperial Tobacco Ltd's proposal to create a safe cigarette, which received only limited endorsement from the BAT Group companies. Part of the dilemma was in producing something less harmful but still having "acceptable smoking quality." The second problem was the belief that regulatory authorities and anti-smoking groups would continue to move the goal posts back, no matter what changes were made.

5. 25 July 1986, minutes of a meeting, R.E. Thornton, "Project EMN Meeting held in Millbank, July 25^th, 1986," BAT (File no. M14) 109844514 - 518.

   Imperial Tobacco Ltd. believed "many of the constraints currently operating on the tobacco industry would be removed if it were not for the smoking and health issue,." and advocated for production of a "safe" cigarette, and an integrated research program to eliminate undesirable chemicals and biologic activity (nitrosamines and tar are mentioned specifically). BATCo seemed less enthusiastic.

   Notable quotes: "The BATCo approach is to monitor the scientific literature and statements of regulatory authorities, with a response in line with management's perception of the situation. This contrasts with the all-encompassing approach foreseen by ITL."

6. November 1985, Conference summary, unsigned, "R&D Research Conference Programme...Rio de Janiero, 12^th to 15^th November, 1985," BAT (File no. M21C) 109870280 - 556 (extracts only taken).

   In marked contrast to the conference held in Brazil in 1983 (see Stanton Glantz et al., The Cigarette Papers (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1996) pp. 88-89, 94-95, 278-281, 406-407), where substantive issues of nicotine metabolism and side-stream smoke carcinogenicity were discussed, this conference dwelled on novelty in product design, eliminating the "nuisance" aspects of sidestream smoke, lower prices, smoker behavior research (psychological profiles and how cigarettes are smoked), response to "consumer demand" and "regulatory authorities requirements." It is clear that BATCo's defensive, reactive approach to cigarettes prevailed over the radical changes hoped for by Imperial.

   Notable quotes: "To ensure that the Group is technologically prepared to adapt products to meet standards imposed on the industry, without impairment of consumer acceptance."

   Test-market concepts of two new brands, VISA and MISSILE. VISA: "Sleek is chic Thin is in Elegant and Feminine Sets new fashion Length: 94 mm Target: female. MISSILE: Quintessential quality Nouvelle cuisine Small but classy 1990's way of smoking 80/84 mm Female and male" "Marlboro is single biggest threat to BAT's No. 1 position No one brand can destroy Marlboro" "The relief of social concerns such as visible sidestream smoke, eye irritation, room odour is a growing consumer need. The development of products with acceptable smoking quality should be a Group (defensive) priority." "Cheap cigarettes are full-flavour." [NB. This indicates marketing of high tar cigarettes to people with less income.]

7. 5 July 1985, marketing plans for overseas, A.L. Heard transmission to F. Marsh, "BAT Strategy Document," BAT (File no. M25) 109879099 - 106.

   Review by country and region where BAT intends to strengthen marketing and sales, and for reducing costs.

   Notable quotes: "I am sure you will recognise that these papers must always be left locked away and in due course it would probably be a good idea if you returned them to me." "85% of BATCo's sales derive from markets in regions where continuing growth is anticipated, providing a basis for growth in excess of the Free World average." "BATCo has a forecast objective to achieve an annual growth rate of 1.8%, compared with a forecast Free World growth rate of 0.5% for the first five years. Thereafter, BATCo growth is projected at 2.2% in a static world market, anticipating higher exports, particularly into China. BATCo will vigorously defend its market share in Latin America, the Indian Sub-Continent, the Far East and Africa.... BATCO will also seek to improve its share were it is presently weak...again concentrating effort where this will be most rewarding, e.g. Switzerland."

8. Circa late 1980s (mentions "positron emission tomography"), unsigned, "Nicotine Review," BAT (File no. M253) 110168659 - 777.

   Massive review of research needs and direction. Authorship, source and references have been left out of the file. Review essentially concludes that nicotine is the rationale for smoking, and that non-combustible sources of nicotine "do however present immediate opportunities for research."

9. 19 February 1987, minutes, M.J. Leach, "Plans meeting at Millbank, February 19, 1987," BAT (File no. M256) 109937261 - 265.

   A strategy session on threats to the industry: Smoking and health, international testing standards, WHO, government attitudes, competition.

   Notable quotes: "resume of WHO strategies. RLOE[ly] and MJL[each] summarised the current position. The WHO is continuing to internationalise its anti-tobacco strategy. It is being asked by its executive committee to allocate additional funds. Whilst pressure groups remain the executive arm of WHO, the latter is being encouraged to take more direct action. The UICC is continuing with its programme of workshops in developing countries. The WHO and allies regard as special targets those countries where there is no indigenous tobacco industry. Here, government may take draconian measures against tobacco without adverse effect upon the economy. That is why WHO continues to encourage Middle Eastern governments. Francophone Africa is an additional area which has already been targetted by WHO. BATCo and the industry have been taking action at the international level to ensure that ambassadors to the UN/WHO are aware of the tobacco case and are encouraged to provide support. The BAT policy must be to ensure that its has an effective intelligence system in its markets and that appropriate action plans are in place."

10. 5 May 1980, strategic analysis of the future, unsigned, secret, counted copies, "Appreciation," BAT (File no. M36A) 109881322 - 331.

    Notable quotes: "AIM To become stronger in tobacco, as a sound basis for further diversification." [NB. It sounds like a strategy to generate considerable cash to go into other kinds of business. Perhaps along the line of the RJR-Nabisco merger.]

    The positive and negative factors affecting the AIM include the economic downturn of the time, anti-smoking movement, the prospects for expansion into the third world, BATCo's world-wide position, litigation, population increase.

    Notable quotes: "The industry is unable to argue satisfactorily for its own continued existence, because all arguments eventually lead back to the primary issue of causation, and on this point our position is unacceptable. There are substantial and telling arguments that we could put for the existence of our industry if we were believed on the primary issue of causation, in respect of social acceptability, public smoking, freedom of choice." "The tobacco industry is the only organisation or group of organisations which have the motivation, potential communications expertise, and financial resources to mount a campaign to redress the balance which is central to long term survival. No individual can argue successfully unless his integrity is unquestionable. In the view of the forces ranged against us, our integrity is seriously in question over our position on causation. Our position on causation, which we have maintained for some twenty years in order to defend our industry is in danger of becoming the very factor which inhibits our long term viability. It could be that a re-evaluation has to be made ofd what we could lose in the short term through court action in the USA, against what we will certainly lose in the long term if we do not defend ourselves credibly on social unacceptability."

    The advantages of maintaining the stance on causation are small: less friction with competitors, less cost for PR, a "quiet life" in the short-term. There are many disadvantages, including discomfort of employees, inability to recruit academics, declining markets. Suggests strategy as follows:

    "We can move our position on causation to one which acknowledges the probability that smoking is harmful to a small percentage of heavy smokers." The advantages: "Credibility will be restored to the industry.... We will be able to promote lower delivery products on an implied 'health' advantage.... The notion of a 'safer' cigarette will greatly assist us in tapping the projected population growth of less developed countries by the year 2000." The disadvantages include losing a cancer law suit, spawning a new legal industry, and selling the idea.. Nonetheless, "It is the opinion of this department that...we should now move to position B, namely that we acknowledge the probability that smoking is harmful to a small percentage of heavy smokers."

    The author proposes a new campaign of "moderation," analogous to what the liquor industry uses, despite the legal implications. Also, advertising, especially in Brazil, should de-emphasize portraying glamour and wealth. "No advertising or promotional material should contain any appeal whatsoever to anyone under the age of 18."

11. 20 November 1978, proposal, unsigned, "A public relations strategy for the Tobacco Advisory Council – Appraisal and proposals prepared by Campbell-Johnson Ltd," BAT (File no.M36A) 109881385 - 407.

    This is a brutally frank writing by a PR firm for the industry, and would undoubtedly be disavowed today by the industry if confronted with it (although it was written after discussions with Sir James Wilson). Links smoking to a libertarian, personal responsibility, Conservative, anti-statist perspective, acknowledges the necessary role of cancer in taking away people who may have lived too long. Notes the additional threats of passive smoking, litigation, illegal drugs, anti-smoking groups at home and abroad. Advises strong behind-the-scenes approach to legislators and ministers, and the media. Take the stance of "mutual consideration" with non-smokers. Also advises establishing "an Association of Tobacco Users" independent but with the industry's blessing. Such an organization was proposed by Air Chief Marshall Sir Christopher Foxley-Norris, another from the National Union of Retail Tobacconists. Cambell-Johnson proposes itself as an intermediary to "act unattributably as an intermediary...between the group and T.A.C. and as a backroom guide to the [users'] group."

    Notable quotes: [Citing the Times lead article of 1977 at the time of the second Royal College of Physicians report, which said, Scrooge-like, "It is part of this gruesome equation that tobacco has the social function of limiting the number of elderly dependants that the economy must support"]

    "This last point, a brutally realistic one, implies that, with a general lengthening of the expectation of life we really need something for people to die of. In substitution for the effects of war, poverty and starvation, cancer, as the disease of the rich, developed countries, may have some predestined part to play. The argument is obviously not one that the tobacco industry could use publicly. But its weight, as a psychological factor in perpetuating people's taste for smoking as an enjoyable if risky habit, should not be under-estimated.... [C]ancer is an essential ingredient of life without which the cells of the human body would be unable to renew themselves." "It is only prudent to recognize, of course, that international co-ordination by the industry is very likely to be denounced by the anti-smokers as immoral or sinister. Their own activities, being undertaken in the name of science, medicine, health or consumer protection, are, by contrast, 'irreproachable'. The question of overtly international initiatives by the industry thus needs careful study."

12. 20 January 1982, notes for a talk, heavily edited, L.C.E. Blackman (Executive Director of Research and Development, BAT), "The tobacco industry & its impact on scientific & medical attitudes and opinion," BAT (File no. M36(B)) 109881176 - 183.

    A most vigorous denial that smoking causes lung cancer. Should be compared to industry writings at the same time in these annotations.

    Notable quotes: "The computed annual lung cancer death rate for smokers is 83 per 100,000 – is about 1 in 1000. Re-stated this means a chance of about 999 in a 1000 of not getting lung cancer." "BAT is a Company that is concerned about its consumers and is interested in their health. For this reason it not only examines the vast studies surrounding a controversial subject but also undertakes and sponsors very considerable research at its own expense."

    [NB. See Glantz, et al. The Cigarette Papers, pp. 346-347. In 1984 Blackman prepared a monograph, The controversy on smoking and health. Some facts and anomalies. The paper, says Glantz, "contained a reasonably complete presentation of the evidence that smoking causes disease, and then used quotes from various scientists and scientific reports to support the claim that a causal link between smoking and disease had not been provem. However, as [Brown & Williamson attorney J. Kendrick] Wells's letter shows, evern merely acknowledging the existence of some evidence pointing to such a link was unacceptable."]

13. 30 March 1979, marketing predictions, T.C. Hanby for presentation to Chairman Patrick Sheehy, "The Year 2000," BAT (File no. M36K) 109883108 - 128.

    Predictions of smoking prevalence of about 35%, rising in women, more toward low tar products (code-named "Hi-Fi"). Most fall-off in educated classes. Link to lung cancer will weaken. Developing nations' market will grow.

    Notable quote, a comment by a reviewer EBW (109883125) (?E.B. Wilkes): "It seems to me that the idea of a safe smoke is an illusion, and smokers will always incur a health risk by smoking. The challenge is to reduce that risk to acceptable proportions. By 'acceptable proportions', I mean that the smoker comes to believe that, on balance, the benefits he receives from smoking outweigh the risks incurred." [NB. Note the weasel term "comes to believe." Also note that never has it been shown that the supposed benefits – arousal/sedation related to nicotine and withdrawal from nicotine – outweigh the risks.]

14. October 1979, trip report, D.G. Felton, "Visit to Canada & USA," BAT (File no. M38) 109879229 - 308 (extracts taken).

    What is interesting about this scientific study tour is that in virtually every visit in the USA Felton was accompanied by an industry lawyer.

    Notable quotes: "There is said to be a general nervousness in the U.S. Tobacco Industry (apart from Philip Morris) in working on the [beneficial] effects of nicotine, because of the risk of demonstrating nicotine dependence or addiction. There are fears that this would result in the Industry coming under the control of the Food and Drug Administration.... I suspect that all the major companies are undertaking in-house work of this nature, while maintaining a collective attitude of non-involvement."