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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. Circa 1985 (latest reference), overhead presentation, unsigned, "Why do people smoke?" BAT (File no. AQ6924) 403626692 - 802 (two sets, one white on black, one reverse, all with the BAT tobacco leaf logo).

   An in-depth graphical presentation in the attempt to answer this compelling question. Author’s flow charts use the word "nicotine addiction" (citing Ashton and Stepney, 1982) in the pharmacological box as one of the forces driving smoking (medical anti-smoking advice is another box). In another chart (no citation), the words, "purported addiction" are used. Author seems to say that there are positive reasons for smoking, a "psychological tool," not just relief of withdrawal. One of the most interesting charts is from Wesnes and Warburton, 1978, which compares smokers, non-smokers, and deprived smokers on an attribute called "visual vigilance." Over an 80-m inute experiment smokers show about a 1% greater "vigilance" than non-smokers (its functional importance isn’t stated) at the start, increasing to about 15% at 80 minutes. Deprived smokers’ vigilance falls quickly so that after 50 minutes they are increasingly less vigilant than non-smokers. It may be concluded that the modest degree of arousal is hardly worth the risk to health, first; and second, most of the so-called arousal is a return to a nicotinized state after deprivation in the addicted person.

   Another chart taken from many sources, shows a linear increase in cigarette consumption with per cent reduction in nicotine yield, with the strength of association (Pearson’s "r") a whopping 0.59. Those selling cigarettes could not have been oblivious to this fact when they began marketing "light" cigarettes.

   Yet another chart shows individual traits and group characteristics of smokers compared to non-smokers. The former are poorer students, use alcohol more, religion less, more hospitalizations, more auto accidents, more job change, divorce. [NB. Does this mean cigarette companies market to "losers" by pumping up their image?]

   Notable quotes: "Increased consumption is related to reduced nicotine." Since the slope is less than unity, "Most compensation must occur at the individual cigarette level." [NB. Either way, more smoke.] "Nicotine sustains smoking behavior." "Machine smoking parameters make sense for league tables. Human smoking parameters make sense for effective marketing."

2. 7 May 1987, memo from Sharon Boyse, "Note on a visit by Professors Brenda costall and Robert Naylor, Department of Pharmacology, University of Bradford," BAT (File no. AQ7049) 400856120 - 121.

   Dr. Boyse recommends for future funding the research of Dr. Costall who shows the effects of withdrawal from nicotine in marmoset monkeys and rats. They show classic signs of anxiety. A shot of nicotine restores the calm.

3. 25 October 1988, memo by Chris Proctor, "A presentation by Aria," BAT (File no. AQ7326) 400974548 - 550.

   ARIA is the Philip Morris sponsored Association for Research on Indoor Air whose principal members are Francis Roe (long-time physician consultant to BAT, now PM), George Leslie (a toxicologist) and Frank Lunau (an occupational hygienist). A flow chart clearly shows the ARIA under the direction of the law firm of Covington & Burling. Others under the umbrella include Nordic, Canadian, French groups, and the "Centre for Environmental Health and Human Toxicology (Schwartz, et al., US)." Philip Morris wants BAT to contribute money to ARIA.

   Notable quotes: "As far as we can gather, the purpose of this meeting was to inform the UK industry about the Philip Morris initiative of setting up a group of scientists in the UK that will comment on ETS issues. That the meeting was designed to cull financial support was denied, though it was made clear that contributions would be accepted." "[Roe} stressed at length that the 16 individuals currently operating for ARIA were totally independent and that there was to be no formal contact between the individuals (not to be termed consultants) and the industry." "It was suggested that the position of Covington and Burlington [sic] allows the members of each group to remain independent of the industry, though all know that it is the tobacco money that is funding the exercise." "It is still being discussed as to whether the Group will undertake some research (as might be suggested by their title), but Roe suggested that much of what would be useful would be large, long-term and expensive. It was also emphasized that the Group was not designed such that its members would act as expert witnesses...." "Their role is to be active in learned societies, to attend relevant meetings as observers or contributors and to provide reports on interesting papers.... Leslie would not identify any of the members of ARIA apart from those present."

   Proctor’s conclusion: "I believe the concept of a multi-disciplinary group that can ‘speak up’ in learned societies or at meetings is a good one."

4. 17 August 1988, memo by Chris Proctor, "Centre for Indoor Air Research," BAT (File no. AQ7326) 400974598 - 600.

   CIAR was established under industry sponsorship (RJR, PM, Lorillard) with law firm representatives as observers (Shook, Hardy & Bacon; Covington & Burling) similar to the Council for Tobacco Research. Details of faked data on ETS sponsored by CTR may be found in Stanton Glantz, et al. The Tobacco Papers (Berkeley: University of California, 1996), pp. 410-12.

   BAT is being asked to join.

   Notable quotes: "CIAR’s aim is to attract untainted, reputable scientists to undertake objective scientific studies in the are of indoor air quality, particularly with regard to ETS.... Much of the effort will be channelled into putting ETS in perspective."

   Proctor’s conclusion: "[E]nables instigation of major third party projects without full burden of funding. In terms of scientific acceptability, CIAR provides a further buffer between the company and the third party, yet allows strong control of projects without major in house effort."

5. 23 November 1989, report by W.D.E. Irwin, "Other sources of carcinogens found in tobacco," BAT (File no. AQ7343) 400986851 - 859.

   Irwin lists the following ingredients that may also be found in foods, liquors, industrial chemicals, soil, air and water: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, N-nitrosamines, aldehydes, hydrazine, heavy metals, arsenic, polonium-210.

6. Circa 1976, chart, unsigned, "Likelihood of becoming a smoker between the ages of 16 and 25, related to personality at age 16," BAT (File no. AQ7400) E1.

   High E and High N have a 50% chance, Low E and Low N 25-30%. No translation.

7. 6 February 1968, report by A.D. Little Corp., "Chemical components of cigarette smoke and biological activity," BAT (File no. AQ7828) 400994513 - 23 (extract of a 217+ page report).

   Examination of the chemistry of many carcinogens in tobacco condensate. Further volumes deal with other effects of cigarette smoke on lung functions.

8. 10 March 1993, summary BAT Industries financial report, "Preliminary announcement - year ended 31 December 1992," BAT (File no. AQ7953) 400969558 - 563.

   Review of the bustling tobacco business in all regions of the world.

   Notable quotes: "Record tobacco trading profit of 1,645 million [pounds], up by 24 per cent.... Exports rose by 23 per cent and the Group’s share of the world market increased to 10.9 per cent." [NB. Represents about 80 per cent of all BATI profits, the rest from financial services.]

9. 5 September 1986, staff advisory, "Sample cigarette smoking," BAT (File no. AQ8066) 400983471.

   Notable quote: "Staff are once again reminded that, unless specifically required to by an authorized person, they must not smoke sample cigarettes manufactured in R&D. Furthermore, any cigarettes manufactured with materials suspected to be of a special hazard [handwritten note: ‘so they are a hazard’] must be identified by a red overtipping... These are not intended for human consumption and must be segregated from other samples and kept secure."

10. Undated, unsigned, booklet, "Product Technology Primer," BAT (AQ8356) 403624724 - 740.

    A useful glossary of terms relevant to product design and development.

11. 3 March 1994, memo by R.R. Baker, "Subject: Update on cigarette ignition propensity activities," BAT (File no. AQ9311) 403681927 - 928.

    Comments on (Massachssetts) Senator Moakley bill requiring the US Consumer Product Safety Commission to introduce an "ignition propensity" test, and that all cigarettes sold in the US should pass such a test.

    Notable quote: "If the bill, or a compromise, is passed RJR are considering fighting it in the courts. Their contention is that evidence from CORESTA and elsewhere indicates that passing the NIST [National Institute of Standards and Technology] would not reduce the number of cigarette-ignited fires." [NB. CORESTA is a European tobacco-industry research group on cigarette design and standards.]

12. Circa 1993, talking points, E.E. Kohnhorst, "Key issues remarks," BAT (File no. AQ9311) 403680937 - 938.

    Covers the issues facing the industry early in the Clinton Administration.

    Notable quote: "Industry position: The FDA is ill-equipped (manpower and financially) to take on major new regulatory responsibilities. Adding tobacco product rgulation to FDA’s agenda would slow review and approvals of new medicines and vaccines for life-threatening illnesses, such as AIDS."

13. 4 May 1994, memo from D. Irwin to G. Read (both of BAT R&D), BAT (File no. AQ9384) 403684846.

    Notable quote: "See the marked section of the abstract. It refers to increase in nicotine transfer to smoke from a ROOT treatment. Given recent developments in the USA regarding claims that tobacco companies are adding nicotine to tobacco, I think all our R&D Centres should cease making this claim for ROOT. I have looked at this claim over a number of years and it is not true in any meaningful sense. I need hardly point out that adding substances to tobacco that lead to more of the tobacco nicotine ending up in the smoke is very close to nicotine fortification."

14. 5 June 1981, memo to staff, unsigned, "R&D reports Brand names," BAT (File no. AR0392) 401656805.

    Asks staff not to identify BAT brands except by code names when discussing new products and processes, or comparing to other companies’ brands, given the possibility of papers being subpoenaed.

15. February 1973, research report (no. T.61), H. van Laar and T.I. Wilson, "Effect of additives on smoke chemistry," BAT (File no. AW0054) 402390265 - 282.

    List of chemical additives that would increase nicotine uptake without increasing total particulate matter ("tar"). They were unable to lower TPM. The additives to increase nicotine delivery were all alkalinizing chemicals.

16. 28 April 1988, slide presentation and summary report, D.L. Gordon, "The secret of Marlboro," BAT (File no. AW0799) 402373254 - 263.

    Author points out that "Not only is Marlboro not the same product on a world-wide basis, Marlboro has a different recipe/make-up within the US based upon manufacturing location. Yet, it is felt that the basic smoke sensory experience has remained relatively constant over time and between locations.... Based on our review, we feel that ammonia, its effects, and its ‘analogues’ remain the ‘secret of Marlboro.’ The effects of ammonia can be seen throughout PM’s strategy of flexible product design. Whether as tobacco/smoke ammonia, ammonium salts, recon[stituted leaf], nicotine alteration, sugar-ammonia reactions, or smoke pH, ammonia appears to be the common thread throughout the history of Marlboro changes.... PM ‘manages’ the effects of ammonia technology to provide the unique taste and character that is Marlboro." [NB. This is puzzling. The BAT documents show its R&D scientists working on and understanding ammonia technology in many of its aspects since the 1960s; so why should BAT scientists be surprised by PM’s use of the technology? Perhaps it was PM’s multiple and flexible ways of using ammonia.]

17. 3 March 1975, research report (T-8077), E.R. Freiesleben and P.J. Dunn (Imperial Tobacco, Canada), "The use of the Freiri slave smoker to investigate changes in smoking behavior," BAT (File no. AW1358) 402369566 - 583.

    Study shows that heavy smokers (20-25 cigarettes a day) will "adjust [their]smoking habits in order to duplicate [their] normal cigarette nicotine intake." Compared to humans, the standard machine seriously underestimates puff volume (277 ml. to 448 ml.), nicotine delivery (1.4mg/cig. to 2.3 mg/cig.) and "tar"(TPM), (25.3 mg/cig. to 41.0 mg/cig.).

18. 18 January 1978, research report (T-7051), P.J. Dunn, E.R.Freiesleben, "The effects of nicotine enhanced cigarettes on human smoking parameters and alveolar CO [carbon monoxide] levels," BAT (File no. AW1374) 402404764 - 765 (abstract only taken).

    Study shows that the smoker did not compensate in reverse with a cigarette giving 30% increase in nicotine, but that inhalation may have been less shallow as lung carbon monoxide levels decreased by 27%.

    Notable quote: "The greater availability of nicotine to the smoker may be an effective means of controlling the intake of CO and tar."

19. 18 July 1988, research report (RD. 2120), R.R. Baker, "The effects of cigarette circumference change on nitrosamine deliveries," BAT (File no. AW1470) 402383318 - 321.

    Tests on thin cigarettes, the type marketed to women..

    Notable quote: "For a given condensate delivery, a lower circumference cigarette can be expected to give a higher NNK delivery than a higher circumference cigarette."

20. 1 November 1990, report (RD.2177), G. Smith, "A review of the biological activity of smoke," BAT (File no. AW1525) 402388698 - 742 (partial extract taken).

    A summary of research over 30 on the "biological activity" of smoke as affected by changes in the design of cigarettes. The Ames test, mouse skin painting, animal inhalation are the assays reviewed. Most of the additions, type of tobacco, filters etc. had no effect on the assays (i.e. giving more or less "biological activity," which is always there in one or more assay). Smoking method, increased volume of puffs, did increase toxicity: "At higher puff volumes the Tar:PAH ratios increased.... [I]ncreased puff volume was associated with increased toxicity."

    [NB. This review implies that smokers compensating with "low delivery" cigarettes by increasing depth and volume of puff will be at higher risk of lung cancer, as the epidemiology seems to bear out.]

21. 22 August 1964, letter from R.B. Griffith (Director of BAT R&D) to H.D. Anderson (BAT headquarters), BAT (File no. B107) 105326685 - 686.

    Acknowledges that intense cultivation methods ("suckering") on certain tobaccos would yield more nicotine per acre. To accomplish this would need to find countries with cheap labor, and to purchase such tobaccos where grown.

22. 20 March 1964, letter from H.D. Anderson to N.M. Gilliam, Esq. (Leaf Department), BAT (File no. B1389) 105520861.

    Notes new discovery that adding potassium carbonate (an alkalinizing agent) could increase the nicotine to tar ratio.

23. 24 April 1964, letter from D.G. Felton (Deputy Manager R&D) to H.D. Anderson), BAT (File no. B1389) 105521028.

    Describes the spraying-on of potassium carbonate to enhance the N/T ratio.

    [NB. There are several other letters of the same nature in this file, showing that the experimenters knew how the alkalinization was working, being rather excited by the prospect.]

24. August 1962, summary report and memo, "SJO", "Smoking by children and adolescents. Memorandum on further research to the Tobacco Manufacturer’s Standing Committee suggested by Market Investigations, Ltd.," BAT (File no. B1696) 105408812 - 815.

    The survey firm recommends manufacturers learn why children do or do not smoke.

    Notable quotes: "We have recently completed a large scale survey of smoking by children in Great Britain." The survey began with ten-year olds. "Children in their teens present a dilemma for the tobacco manufacturers. On the one hand you want to discourage children from smoking.... On the other hand it is difficult for you to lend your weight to a campaign against smoking by young people without running the risk of discouraging them from taking up smoking altogether. The present drive against smoking by young people might discourage them completely from smoking, or it might if clumsily handled have the reverse effect of making them smoke all the more as a slap in the face of authority. Either event would be disastrous from your point of view. [emphasis added]

25. Circa 1962, review, unsigned, "The Tobacco Research Council, review of past and current activities," BAT (File no. B1696) 105408869 - 873.

    Early 1960s U.K. industry positions.

    Notable quotes: "Most smokers suffer no serious impairment of health or shortening of life as the result of their habit... Adults who have decided to smoke should smoke only in moderation. Children should not smoke."