There is new evidence that a British cigarette manufacturer understood the link between smoking and lung cancer as long ago as 1970.

Martin Day, solicitor for the victims

An internal memo from Gallaher Limited, who makes the Benson and Hedges and Silk Cut brands, says research on dogs proved beyond reasonable doubt that cigarette smoke causes lung cancer.

The disclosure has been welcomed by lawyers acting for lung cancer victims, who have begun legal action against the company.

Martin Day, on BBC News 24, "logically" interprets the document (26")

The confidential memorandum from Gallaher's research department to the company's managing director was written in April 1970. It was disclosed by order of an American court during litigation against tobacco companies in the United States.

The document assesses research done during the 1960s on beagles. The dogs were forced to inhale cigarette smoke and almost all of them then became ill.

Gallaher's research directors said the tests proved beyond reasonable doubt that fresh whole cigarette smoke is carcenogenic to dog lungs, and therefore it is highly likely that it is carcenogenic to human lungs.

Lawyers acting for lung cancer victims will use this evidence in the case they are bringing against Gallaher and another company, Imperial Tobacco.

They say it is highly signficant that 28 years ago, before there were even health warnings on cigarette packets, the company's research department accepted that lung cancer was caused by cigarette smoke.
 

Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage	©