Like Any Drug Addict
   
 

Inter-Office Philip Morris correspondence: Electromyographic Studies of Muscle Relaxation in Smokers

  TO: Dr. H. Wakeham
  FROM: R. Fagan
  November 1, 1972

 
Summary of Image
Page One
Doctors noticed that "smokers were not able to relax unless they were allowed to smoke." This request for "complete neurologic, psychologic and electromygraphic study will try to elucidate the reasons for continuation of the smoking habit and the basis for the obvious muscular (and by implication the psychologic) relaxation that takes place after smoking a few puffs on a cigaret." "...What it sounds like at the moment is that cigarets are addicting and the reaction of the inveterate cigaret smoker is like that of any drug addict." [click on image to enlarge to full size -- 19K]


 
Summary of Image
Page Two
"The market promotion value of this work, assuming it is valid, may be negated by the fact that it was done in an independent institute financed by a cigaret manufacturer or by the tobacco industry. Only if the work were done under the auspices of an institution with a well-established reputation for intellectual honesty and integrity would this be worthwhile."
[click on image to enlarge to full size -- 7K]


 

BACKGROUND NOTE: This 1972 Philip Morris internal memo, Electromyographic Studies of Muscle Relaxation in Smokers, establishes that PM knew in 1972 that cigarettes were addicting (22 years prior to the congressional hearings wherein the CEOs testified that they didn't believe nicotine was addicting). Note the sentence that states 'the reaction of the inveterate cigaret smoker is like that of any drug addict.' Also note how the last paragrpah indicates the PM scientist's understanding that his company lacked a reputation for 'intellectual honesty and integrity' when it comes to scientific research.

Quotes

Brudny and Levy [of Bellevue Hospital] had noticed in their treatment of patients whom they were trying to train to relax voluntary muscles that smokers were not able to relax unless they were allowed to smoke. The number of people tested who demonstrated this activity was small.

To pursue the phenomenon of muscle relaxation under the influence os smoking, the group at Bellevue would like to be subsidized. What they want is the establishment of an independent research institute to be staffed and equipped to study about 200 people. Complete neurologic, psychologic and electromyographic study will try to elucidate the reasons for continuation of the smoking habit and the basis for the obvious muscular (and by implication the psychologic) reaction that takes place after smoking a few puffs on a cigaret. Off the cuff estimates for organizing, equipping and staffing the institute and doing the indicated study in a year - year and a half is 200-150 thousand dollars.

In my opinion the request is premature...There is no evidence that one is dealing with the action of cigarets rather than relieving a sense of deprivation....What it sounds like at the moment is that cigarets are addicting and the reaction of the inveterate cigaret smoker is like that of any drug addict. I should like to see some preliminary work to validate the initial observation....

The market promotion value of this work, assuming it is valid, may be negated by the fact that it was done in an independent institute financed by a cigaret manufacturer or by the tobacco industry. Only if the work were done under the auspices of an institution with a well-established reputation for intellectual honesty and integrity would this be worthwhile.

Anne Landman
American Lung Association of Colorado, West Region Office
Grand Junction


Title: Electromyographic Studies of Muscle Relaxation in Smokers
Date: November 1, 1972
From: R. Fagan
To: Dr. H. Wakeham
Site: Philip Morris http://www.pmdocs.com
No. of Pages: 2
URL:
http://www.pmdocs.com/getallimg.asp?DOCID=1001801446/1447

 

tobacco freedom logo
home | Attorneys General MSA index | CCAA | Issues | about US


For questions about this Website, contact CyberSmooth at InfoImagination © 1999