Tobacco Needs Federal Remedy

Source from:  poughkeepsiejournal.com September 18, 2006  09/19/2006

The words "tobacco industry" and "deception" have been synonymous for as long as anyone can remember, and better regulations are needed to combat the problem. Even losing major lawsuits and settling in some other cases hasn't stopped Big Tobacco from foisting untruths on the American people. Two recent and significant developments underscore the point. A federal judge has ruled top tobacco companies are in violation of racketeering laws by conspiring for decades to mislead the public about smoking hazards. The judge, Gladys Kessler, said the industry shouldn't be allowed to use words like "low-tar" and "light" to describe their potentially deadly products. The industry is appealing that ruling. A Massachusetts study shows how the industry has actually raised the nicotine levels in cigarettes by about 10 percent over the last six years. This is especially egregious, considering those tactics apparently started around the time Big Tobacco was cutting a high-profile deal with a number of states, including New York, that was supposed to start putting public health above tobacco profits. Money wisely allocated to health care New York was part of a massive lawsuit to recover money spent on health care for poor people suffering the effects of tobacco products. Millions of dollars have been dispensed to the counties as part of this deal. Some of the money has been used to defray health costs; other funds have gone into public awareness campaigns about the dangers of smoking. In addition to these sound efforts, New York instituted a ban on smoking in most public places more than two years ago. State health officials recently reported the percentage of people smoking is at its lowest point since those figures started being tracked in 1985. Still, the federal government should do more. Congress and the Food and Drug Administration should devise regulations that halt these deceptive labeling and nicotine-loading practices. And the Justice Department should pursue its cases against Big Tobacco with zeal. The states got some important concessions out of the tobacco industry six years ago. But, ultimately, it is up to the federal government to regulate this addictive and harmful product. So far, it hasn't been up to the task. Enditem