November 19, 1998
The New Mexico tobacco-reduction coalition, Citizens for Clean Air in
Apartments (CCAA) released the following statement in reference to the
proposed deal negotiated by eight state attorneys general and the tobacco
industry.
Based on our preliminary study of the tobacco settlement documents,
which we obtained from the Internet, we understand why the tobacco industry
allows only a limited period of review from the public. We cannot understand
why the various attorneys general would rush to enter into this 25-year
agreement.
We are not convinced that this agreement is in the best interest of
the public's health. We are not convinced that this agreement would be
an effective measure to combat teenage smoking, which has risen dramatically
in the past decade.
We ask, therefore, that Attorney General Tom Udall and Governor Gary
Johnson request more time, at least 30 days at minimum, so the public health
community, legal experts, the public and media have a reasonable period
of time to review and study the terms of this proposed settlement.
The CCAA has provided comprehensive information about the proposed settlement,
including comments from various health organizations and policy advocates,
on their Web site at http://www.unm.edu/~sgoold/ccaa.