Big Tobacco in the Big Apple

How New York City Became the Heart of the Tobacco Industry
…and Anti Smoking Activism

In the Aftermath of the 1964 Surgeon General’s Report

On Saturday,  January 11, 1964, at a packed press conference at the U.S. State Department in Washington, D.C., United States Public Health Service Surgeon General Dr. Luther Terry handed down the indictment of cigarette smoking as a major cause of lung cancer in men. Exhibition curator Alan Blum, MD summarizes this historic event. (0:57 / 0:34)


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“CIGARETTES PERIL HEALTH, U.S. REPORT CONCLUDES; ‘REMEDIAL ACTION’ URGED”

Front page news article about the publication of the Surgeon General’s Report on Smoking and Health
The New York Times
January 12, 1964

The First World Conference on Smoking and Health was Held in New York City, September 11-13, 1967 (09:55)

Approximately 500 scientists, government leaders, physicians, and journalists from 34 countries attended the three-day meeting at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. This ABC-TV news footage features excerpts of plenary addresses by United States Surgeon General Luther Terry and New York Senator Robert Kennedy, plus reporting by medical correspondent Jules Bergman.

SMOKING and HEALTH
REPORT OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO THE SURGEON GENERAL OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE

Front cover
Washington, DC: US Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
January 11, 1964

“Summary and Conclusions of U.S. Report on Links Between Smoking and Health”

News article
The New York Times, page 64
January 12, 1964

“Industry is Still Prospering: CIGARETTE SALES CONTINUE TO RISE”

News article by Alexander R. Hammer
The New York Times, page 67
January 12, 1964

“Tobacco Institute Says Report ‘Is Not Final Chapter’ in Debate Over Health Issue”

News article by John H. Allan
The New York Times
January 12, 1964

“Study Indicates Use of Cigarettes Is Major Cause of Lung Cancer in Men”

News article
The New York Times, page 65
January 12, 1964

“THE CIGARET REPORT: Links Cancer, Other Diseases”

Front page coverage of Surgeon General’s Report
New York Journal American
January 12, 1964

“NEW HOPE FOR CIGARETTE SMOKERS: CRASH EFFORT FOR A SAFER CIGARETTE” (7 pages)

News article
The Saturday Evening Post
April 18, 1964

“There is no reason for another generation of mankind to end up disabled and the victim of premature death. We must act—and act now.” (5 pages)

Transcript of Senator Robert Kennedy’s address at the first World Conference on Smoking and Health, held at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, New York City
September 11-13, 1967

“Verdict on Cigarets: Guilty as Charged”

News article
LIFE Magazine, page 56A
January 24, 1964

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