St. Adele Research Conference, 1970

At the 1970 research conference, held at St. Adele, Quebec, the consensus statements agreed upon at the Montreal conference three years earlier (see above) were reviewed. The changes in the wording of the consensus statements between these two meetings appear to reflect a growing awareness of the legal implications of scientific statements. On nicotine, the 1970 conference agreed,

Nicotine is important, and there is probably a minimum level necessary for consumer acceptance in any given market. The chemical form of nicotine has been shown to affect the rate of absorption by the smoker [emphasis added]. {1170.01, p. 1}

In contrast, the corresponding statement in the minutes of the 1967 meeting (which, in turn, differs from that quoted from the draft minutes, in the above section headed "Montreal Research Conference, 1967") reads:

Nicotine is important and there is probably a minimum level of nicotine to which for many people the habituated effects of smoking are attributable. The form of nicotine probably affects the rate of absorption by the smoker [emphasis added]. {1170.01, p. 1}

The statement on inhalation was changed markedly. The 1967 draft statement that we have reads:

If there is no inhaling, there is no lung cancer or respiratory disease {emphasis added]. {1165.01, p. 2}

The 1970 version:

It was accepted that, without inhalation, no association between smoking and respiratory disease could reasonably be allege [sic ] [emphasis added]. {1170.01, p. 2}

The corresponding 1967 statement is not quoted in the 1970 minutes, which note somewhat ambiguously, "In 1967 the corresponding statement was not agreed" {1170.01, p. 2}.

Participants agreed that R&D was an essential activity for the company and that one of the general objectives of R&D was to "enhance the technological base of the company, and specifically to create a framework for product design " (emphasis added) {1170.01, p. 2}. This objective emphasizes the commercial intent behind much of the work done in R&D, presumably including the work on nicotine and the work on developing technologies to reduce toxicity. This explicit objective may be relevant to the matter of intent and the potential for FDA regulation.

The participants considered what their company's business might look like in a world in which cigarettes were no longer acceptable.

It was agreed that, if and when total cigarette consumption declined, great opportunities for supplying the demand of other socially acceptable habits could follow. Discussion followed on those opportunities which might arise. Amongst those discussed were a) chewing products, and b) wet snuff. It was felt that this whole area, much of which is already in the tobacco industry, should be examined more thoroughly. Particular attention should be given to buccal administration of nicotine and other physiologically active ingredients. At the same time, it was re-affirmed that we would not contemplate the incorporation of nicotine in edible products. {1170.01, p. 3}

This discussion fits into the wishful thinking evident at other conferences about a noninhalable cigarette. Once again, nicotine is central to this speculation. Pure nicotine was not to be used as an additive in a tobacco product, but a high-nicotine tobacco extract was within the rules.

The addition of nicotine to SM [substitute smoking materials] was considered, and it was recommended that nicotine per se , should not be used inside any tobacco factory. However, high nicotine content tobacco extract might be added. So long as SM remains a blend constituent, it would not be considered desirable for the supplier to include nicotine in the formulation. Nevertheless, for purposes of laboratory experimentation under suitable controls, nicotine-containing materials offered by suppliers may be used. {1170.01, p. 4}

The development of tobaccos with high nicotine content was expected, but the participants also called for research into the role of other nicotinic alkaloids and encouraged the Canadian subsidiary to explore the development of reconstituted tobacco with high nicotine content {1170.01, p. 5}. They recommended that cigarettes made by competitors be compared on the basis of extractable nicotine per puff, since such comparisons might provide a coherent basis for understanding market segmentation among consumers {1170.01, p. 7}.

Finally,

It was agreed that insufficient work is being done on those benefits perceived by the consumer, and that psychological and pharmacological studies should be initiated, both at industry and group level, to identify the consumers' needs. {1170.01, p. 9}

This stress on pharmacological research to determine consumer needs illustrates again the underlying intent of BAT and B&W to deliver controlled amounts of pharmacologically active nicotine to their customers.