|
Published:
November 23 Marks Tenth Anniversary of the Largest Civil Settlement in U.S. HistoryAmerican Lung Association Urges States to End the Tobacco Settlement Spending Spree and Direct Funds to Protect Public Health WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This Sunday, November 23, 2008, will mark the ten year anniversary of the signing of the largest civil settlement inUnited States history. The Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) was a court settlement between 46 states and the major tobacco companies that reimbursed the states for smoking-caused health care costs and imposed marketing restrictions on the tobacco companies. The companies agreed to pay these states What should be a milestone public health celebration is instead a somber day resulting in states' broken promises to improve their resident's health by failing to utilize the "The financial incentives for states to use money from the MSA to fight tobacco use are obvious," said Although the settlement did not place parameters on how states must use their settlement dollars, promises were made by state governors and attorney generals at the time of the settlement that the money would be used to alleviate the strain tobacco-related healthcare costs have on each state's Medicaid program in addition to supporting tobacco prevention and cessation initiatives. Those promises were largely ignored. "In these economically challenged times, states cannot afford to misuse MSA funds," said Toomey. "The crushing financial burden each state must carry to address the very real costs associated with tobacco-related death and disease will only diminish when smoking rates begin to decline. Yet, the bitter reality is that states are not using the money for what it was intended for." Alabama spends more than "These states are not only guilty of taking money from big tobacco companies and giving it right back, but also guilty of contributing to the public health epidemic that causes almost 393,000 deaths in our country each year," said Toomey. The American Lung Association calls upon states to stop squandering this money and to address the real issues at hand -- the deadly grip big tobacco has on our nation is literally killing us and contributing to our economic woes. Supporting tobacco cessation and prevention programs will save countless lives and will ease the strain on states' budgets by reducing tobacco-related health care expenditures. For more information on how states in far too many instances are neglecting to sufficiently protect their residents from the predatory practices of the tobacco industry, visit http://www.stateoftobaccocontrol.org. Here, the American Lung Association awards grades annually to each state and the Federal government on key tobacco control policies, including tobacco cessation and prevention funding. About the American Lung Association: Beginning our second century, the American Lung Association is the leading organization working to prevent lung disease and promote lung health. Lung disease death rates are currently increasing while other major causes of death are declining. The American Lung Association funds vital research on the causes of and treatments for lung disease. With the generous support of the public, the American Lung Association is "Fighting for Air." For more information about the American Lung Association, a Charity Navigator Four SOURCE American Lung Association Tags: ,TOB,HEA,POL,LEG,ALA-MSA-anniversary _ _     Is your favorite bookmark site missing? Ask for it. |
|
