Tobacco Documents Online

C THE SECRETiARY OF HEALTH'yEDUCATION,AND WELFARE WASHINGTO~N, D.C.2020d! APR 2 6 1979 Mr. Curtis H. Judge President Lorillard 666 Fifth Avenue New York, New York 10019 Dear Mr. Judge: I am writing to enlist your concern and help in protecting the health of the nation's children~. According to a survey by the National Institute of Education, there are now in America 1.7 million girls and 1.6 million boys between 12 and 18 years of age who are regular cigarette smokers. When children under 12 and 19-year olds are added, the number of teen and'sub-teen smokers exceeds 5 million. I know you will be disturbed', as I am~, by these new figures. Spokesmen for the industry have repeatedly taken~the position that smoking' is an adult habit, but apparently, your views are not getting through to many children. add substance to your public statements that smoking is not a habit to be embraced by children. I am urging you and your colleagues to devote a reasonable portion of your advertising budgets to a special campaign aimed at teenagers and'children, emphasizing that smoking is not for children. In particular, it sho uld warn young women of childbearing age of the special dangers of smoking to their unborn babies. The alcohol beverage industry is involved in an anti-alcohol abuse campaign~, and has been widely commended for its efforts. In my talk before the National Interagency Council on Smoking and Health in San Francisco earlier today, I suggested'that ten percent of your industry's present advertising and pro- motion budget -- estimated upwards of $800 million -- would be a reasonable investment for you' to make in the health of American children. Such a commitment by your industry would I look forward to your reply. Sincerely,