News Release
1999-137
November 22, 1999
Health Minister releases internal tobacco industry documents
OTTAWA - Health Minister Allan Rock today released 1,200 tobacco industry documents that profile the marketing and promotional strategies used by tobacco companies and shed new light on the extent of the tobacco industry's scientific knowledge about the health consequences and the addictive nature of cigarettes.
Health Canada officials obtained the documents while conducting research at the Guildford Depository in Guildford, England. The Depository houses more than six million pages of tobacco industry internal documents. It was established in 1998 by order of the Minnesota court as part of the judgement in the state's medicare cost recovery suit.
The importance of the documents at Guildford was first brought to public attention by the Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada, who conducted extensive research on these tobacco industry files.
"Never before have governments had such access to internal tobacco industry documents," Minister Rock said. "I find their contents very disturbing. They reinforce the need for aggressive, sustained campaigns to inform Canadians not only about the health hazards of smoking but also about the marketing strategies and tactics of the tobacco industry."
The documents show that tobacco companies have conducted extensive research and developed strategies to explore options with respect to nicotine content and levels in cigarettes, youth-related promotional activities, and approaches for reassuring potential quitters concerned about the health impacts of smoking.
Mr. Rock noted that the materials would be of broad use to governments and health groups. "Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in Canada. If the health community is to be effective in reducing smoking and protecting the health of Canadians, we need to fully understand the practices of this industry."
Minister Rock is meeting on November 23, 1999, with Dr. Jeffrey Wigand, who provided a deposition that was part of a lawsuit filed by the state of Mississippi to recover the medical costs of smoking-related illnesses from tobacco companies.
Health Canada has released "The Guildford Documents", which contains excerpts from documents relating to research projects, marketing, advertising, sponsorship, and other topics. A copy of the document can be obtained by calling (613) 957-2991. The full text of the documents can be found on the Internet at  http://www.ncth.ca/NCTH_new.nsf
Health Canada officials conducted additional research at Guildford in October 1999. The documents examined during that visit have not yet been provided to Health Canada.
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Media Inquiries
Derek Kent
Office of Allan Rock
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Lynn LeSage
Health Canada
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