Operation Berkshire

Operation Berkshire was the name tobacco industry executives gave to a series of meetings held in the mid-1970's between the major cigarette makers of the U.S. and Europe where the companies agreed to unite to fight trends that were effectively reducing nicotine consumption and tobacco-related illness worldwide.

Brief minutes of the first meeting contain a concession from Imperial Tobacco company that it "accepts that some adverse health effects are caused by smoking." The paper goes on to say that "Acting 'responsibly,' they have sought to co-operate with the authorities," (the word 'responsibly' is sarcastically set off in quotation marks.)

Tony Garrett, the head of Imperial Tobacco at this meeting "by implication rather than direct admission, made concessions in the areas of Lung Cancer, Pregnancy and to a lesser extent, Coronary Heart Disease."

Philip Morris (PM) wanted to assure that "full security cover be maintained for future meetings." PM took on the job of investigating anti-smoking bodies, their philosophies, functions and funding. One company was assigned the task of finding out what factors have affected the decline in social acceptability of smoking, and was to

3. To examine such counter-measures as have been used. 4. To recommend the counter measures to be used.

This document shows the collusion between the major tobacco manufacturers of the world to unite to defeat public health measures, and encourage the worldwide spread of nicotine addiction despite knowledge that their products cause cancer, risks to pregnancy and cardiovascular disease.[1]

Information on this project was first posted to the Internet on February 2, 2000.
Document Title: Brief notes on Operation Berkshire - Shockwick House 770602 and 770603
Type of Document: Report, minutes (confidential)
Author: N/A
Collection: Philip Morris