From: anne@tobaccodocuments.org
Date: Thu, 12/06/07
Re-Posting Date: December 6, 2007
Progress Report of the Epidemiology Division of the American Health
Foundation
Company/Source: Philip Morris (now a division of Altria Group)
Document Date: 26 Mar 1980
Length: 2 pages
Bates No. 1000129639/9640
URL: http://tobaccodocuments.org/landman/1000129639-9640.html
Document Images: http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/tid/ugs64e00
In this brief Philip Morris (PM) memo from 1980, principal
scientist Ray Fagan writes to PM's Director of Research (Thomas
Osdene) to discuss a study being done at an outside agency, the
American Health Foundation (AHF).
AHF reported that nicotine was suspect in causing heart attacks
("myocardial infarction"). In response, Fagan states,
"I doubt whether this is true. If nicotine is involved in
cardiovascular disease it may be responsible for the lowered
threshold to ventricular fibrillation. This type of arhythmia is
frequently the cause of sudden death in cardiovascular disease."
Thus in 1980 PM apparently had an idea that nicotine might lower
people's threshold for a type of inefficient heart pumping pattern
(arrhythmia) that "frequently [is] the cause of sudden death" in
people with heart disease. There is no mention in the memo of any
need or intent to make customers aware of this information.
Quotes:
4) As stated in a number of places in the Report, nicotine is the
"highly suspect agent in the onset of myocardial infarction." I doubt
whether this is true. If nicotine is involved in cardiovascular
disease it may be responsible for the lowered threshold to
ventricular fibrillation. This type of arrhythmia is frequently the
cause of sudden death in cardiovascular disease.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------
Company:
Philip Morris
Author:
Fagan, Raymond (Principal Scientist, Philip Morris, c. 1968-83)
Principal Scientist at Philip Morris Research Center in Richmond,
Virginia, between around 1968-84.
Recipient:
Osdene, Thomas Stafford, Ph.D. (PM Operations Center, USA)
Started with PM in 1965. Worked in Chemical Research Division of PM
1965-66. Chemical and Biological Research Division 1966-69. Director
of Research 1969-approximately 1981. Director of Research and
Extramural Studies in 1982. Director of Science and Technology in
1986. Independent position in 1984 as Director of Smoking and
Extramural Research (Secret Operations). Reported to VP Operations.
Involved with Center for Indoor Air Research (CIAR) 1988. Attended
PM's Operation Downunder Conference in June, 1987.
Region:
United States
Named Organization:
American Health Foundation (Health Research)
1993 American Health Foundation - Directed by the late Dr. Ernst
Wynder. Took funds from PM and Kraft for research relating to dietary
and lifestyle causes of lung cancer.
Litigation:
Stmn/Produced
Type:
MEMO, MEMORANDUM
Subject:
Nicotine
Cardiovascular Effects (Health Effects)
This service is provided by Anne Landman, tobacco document researcher
and editor of the TobaccoWiki portal on www.SourceWatch.org, Tobacco
Documents Online and the Center for Media and Democracy.
Anne Landman
Tobaccowiki Editor
www.TobaccoWiki.org
Center for Media and Democracy
(970) 216-9842
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