Cato Institute Policy
Forum
August 5, 1997
Tobacco Settlement:
Sweetheart deal, Health Imperative, or Legalized
Extortion?
featuring
| William H. Pryor Attorney General State of Alabama |
Dennis C. Vacco Attorney General State of New York |
| William D. Novelli President Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids |
Robert A. Levy Senior Fellow Cato Institute |
On June 20, a coterie of state attorneys general, joined by plaintiffs' lawyers and public health advocates, announced a sweeping settlement of their litigation against the tobacco industry. In a 68-page "Proposed Resolution," the industry agreed to fund a variety of health programs, pay monetary damages, subject itself to FDA regulation, and restrict certain sales and marketing practices. In return, tobacco companies will be exempt from all punitive damages for their past conduct and immune from new class action lawsuits. The settlement, if approved by the Clinton administration and Congress, also wipes out claims by more than three dozen state and local governments for Medicaid reimbursement. Is this settlement a sweetheart deal, a health imperative, or legalized extortion'? Click below to listen to a debate on the full range of tobacco-related issues.
Click
Hear to Listen to the Policy Forum
