TI Smoking Issues (SGDoc 1991)
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The March 1991 report of the "Public Smoking Issues" division at the Tobacco institute lists the highlights of their month:
Public Smoking Issues http://industrydocuments.library.ucsf.edu/tobacco/docs/mqhw0101 | |
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Report Statement | Translation and explanation |
ETS scientific consultants continued preparing additional scientific analyses for submission to the EPA and its Science Advisory Board, and for publication in scientific journals, based on the SAB's recommendations for revision of the ETS risk assessment. | The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had drafted a Risk Assessment of passive smoking (ETS) which classified second-hand smoke as a known carcinogen. The DRAFT had been released, and this was in the period when people could comment, before a firm declaration was made. |
We also began new meta analysis calculations based on results of a new epidemiologic study of ETS and lung cancer. | (They attacked the techniques of meta-analysis when it was used by the EPA) |
A consulting scientist sent his letter comparing EPA's ETS risk assessment with its risk assessment on electromagnetic radiation to the chairman of the SAB committee which reviewed the EMF risk assessment, to the SAB's Executive Director and to individual members of the SAB Executive Committee . We agreed also to provide the letter to EPA's Deputy Administrator for Research and Development, and to consider possible additional uses. | George Carlo, one of their key corrupt scientists, had also begun to work for the Cellular Telephone Industry Association (CTIA) on the problem that the pulsed high-power mobiles (D-AMPS and GSM) at that time had been shown to break DNA in the brain cells of laboratory mice. |
TI consultants continued working to develop a conference on science and policy to be sponsored by an independent scientific organization. They also began preparing for a conference scheduled for June 11 under the auspices of the International Society for Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology concerning risk assessment guidelines published by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). | The tobacco industry constantly hid its activities behind the front of other organisations -- either libertarian think-tanks like the Cato Institute, or phantom associations like IAPAG, CEHHT, and hundreds of others that their consultant scientific lobbyists created for the industry. |
A consulting scientist participated in a workshop on the 0MB risk assessment guidelines sponsored by the Harvard University School of Public Health. | This was actuallyJohn Graham's Harvard Center for Risk Analysis (HCRA) which had no formal connection to the School of Public Health. |
A TI consultant presented a paper on ETS, with specific reference to the EPA ETS risk assessment, at a Cato Institute symposium entitled "Making Sense of Safety ." | The Tobacco Institute had a draft of Alan Katzenstein's speech (and also a later final copy, so they must have been presented for approal. They also had the program for Cato Institute's Washington DC conference. |
Scientific consultants continued work on an ETS white paper to be circulated to prominent researchers for review and possible coauthorship . | The idea came from George Carlo. He proposed getting hundreds of other scientists to endorse a paper (with slightly ambiguous and 'motherhood statements') which would be presented as an 'independent' document. The project failed. |
Institute representatives attended eight ETS/IAQ scientific meetings . In addition to the Biometrics Society meeting, the Harvard University workshop on risk assessment and the Cato Institute seminar, these included the annuall meeting of the American College of Cardiology, an ILSI Risk Science Institute seminar on the abuse of science for risk assessment and regulation, an ICF Incorporated seminar on indoor air quality, the American Heart Association's annual conference on cardiovascular disease epidemiology and Georgia Tech Research Institute's annual safety and health conference and exhibition | The International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) was the sugar/confectionary industry equivalent of the Tobacco Institute. It's Risk Sciences Institute was run in the same way as TI operations. |
Since the initial request for assistance from workers at the General Motors Technical Center in Warren, MI, TI has received calls from GM plants in Dayton, OH and Flint, MI. GM is tightening its restrictions in one plant and instituting bans in three other facilities. The union is still determined to fight the issue. UAW maintains that their contract clearly states that work rules are subject to negotiation. Labor Management Committee representatives are continuing to work with the UAW during the negotiations between the union and the company. | The Tobacco Institute had a Labor Management Committee with specialized labor lawyers which dealt directly with unions, and paid off many of the top union officials, including a couple from the AFL-CIO. |
The National Energy Management Institute (NEMI) conducted an indoor air quality contractor training seminar in Albany, New York. (See IAQ testing) Frank Powell was interviewed for television and radio programs in conjunction with the training seminar. NEMI is preparing a paper on the cost effectiveness of improving building ventilation systems.OSHA is collecting information on indoor air quality (IAQ) issues and has requested information on the cost benefits of ventilation as a defense to indoor air quality problems in the workplace. Delivery of the paper to OSHA is expected in ApriL Labor Management Committee representatives met with the Michigan Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Health and Safety Project Director and the NEMI's North Central Regional Director to discuss IAQ issues . | Frank Powell ran the NEMI as if it were a private for-profit business, and both he and his top staff profited extensively from tobacco industry largess. The cost-benefits paper presented to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) would have been approved by the TI before submission and it would have downplayed the cost of increased air-exchange rates to help clear smoke from workplaces. |
The March/April issue of the HBI Magazine has been published. Staff is working with HBI to develop a mailing list for efficient distribution of the magazine | The Healthy Buildings International magazine was supposedly created and distributed internationally by Gray Robertson's HVAC company as a company promotional bulletin. it directed attention at so-called "sick buildings" and the problem of chemicals in the indoor environment (discounting ETS). |
TI's consulting economists have started a productivity study to develop hard empirical evidence on the effect of workplace restrictions on the earnings and values of businesses. The expected completion date of the study is August, 1991. | The US tobacco industry, at any one time, had about 60 Libertarian Professors of Economics at state universities on tap, as part of the Cash-for-Comments Economists Network. They wrote local op-ed articles for state and regional newspapers, and lobbied local politicians with the message that smoking restrictions were costly and took away jobs. |
Review the progress of the identification and recruitment of academic researchers for the scientific witness program . | This was an ongoing process. They were constantly recruiting scientist and other academics. |
http://industrydocuments.library.ucsf.edu/tobacco/docs/mqhw0101