1960s Timeline

July 15, 1962 - Preliminary findings show that premature births occur more frequently among mothers who smoke than among nonsmokers. This was one of the results of a long-range study being coordinated by the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Blindness, a research arm of the U.S. Public Health Service. Dr. Richard L. Masland, director of the Institute, said that the results “are preliminary findings of continuing research and therefore should be viewed with cauti

June 22, 1962 - The American Cancer Society decided today to urge college presidents and the Federal Trade Commission to help curb the promotion of smoking among college students. The society’s 74-member board of directors voted unanimously for a proposal aimed to combat “the apparently intensified promotional campaign in colleges to increase the sale of cigarettes to college students.” The proposal said that the sponsoring of televised college athletic events by tobacco comp

May 25, 1962 - Two Federal agencies are preparing reports dealing with the possible connection between cigarette smoking and cancer. The first agency, the Federal Trade Commission, has ordered one of its bureaus to draw up a report to help it decide whether cigarette companies should be compelled to include in their advertising a warning about the possible health hazards in cigarette smoking. The second, the Public Health Service, is preparing a report for President Kennedy o

May 23, 1962 - President Kennedy promised reporters today to give them an answer next week on the Government’s attitude toward studies linking cigarette smoking with cancer and heart disease. A reporter asked him whether he and his medical advisors agreed or disagreed with the findings of the studies and what, if anything, “should or can the Federal Government do in these circumstances.” The President referred to the recent decline in the price of tobacco company stock by say

Mar. 7, 1962 - “Cigarette smoking is a cause of lung cancer” and probably contributes to the development of other diseases, the Royal College of Physicians reported in London today. The report said that health hazards associated with cigarette smoking were so great that preventive steps should be taken promptly. The college, a 444-year-old organization of the élite of British medicine, called on the Government to curb the rising consumption of tobacco, especially cigarettes.