Health Dept rebuts cigarette claims

Press, 9 May 1979, Page 28

Health Dept rebuts cigarette claims

PA Wellington A point-by-point rebuttal erf assertions made in a pamphlet on smoking produced by the tobacco manufacturers, has been issued by the Health Department.

The 18-page statement says that evidence, produced by the manufacturers to claim there is no scientific proof that smoking was hazardous, does not: stand up to criticism.

It adds that the manufacturers’ booklet relies heavily on outdated information.

In reply to the assertion that the evidence against smoking is based only on statistics, the department says the progress of science relies heavily on statistical methods.

The department says statistical methods have been used to demonstrate the link between thalidomide and birth defects and the link between radiation and cancer. The statistical evidence against smoking is backed up by animal experiments and clinical observations, and is sufficiently convincing to leave no room for any reasonable doubt, it says. The risk to the average smoker of death from lung cancer is more than 10 times greater than that of the non-smoker, and in heavy smokers the risk is 15 to 30 times greater. There is no other substance which is known to be responsible for so much cancer as tobacco, and it is doubtful that

anything comparable will ever be found, it says. The department’s statement also replies to the manufacturers’ comments on advertising. The manufacturers said that no study had demonstrated that advertising was responsible for persuading people to smoke. They also said their advertising was designed to create brand awareness and brand loyalty and they did not encourage young people to smoke. The department says it is concerned about the

methods of cigarette advertising. ‘‘The public are constantly bombarded with misleading advertising associating glamorous themes of youth, beauty health, and wealth with cigarette smoking. “If cigarette companies are really interested in maintaining brand loyalties perhaps they should use testimonials. For instance, show a person who has been smoking the same brand of cigarettes for the past 50 years (if they are still alive).”