Tobacco Settlement: It Is Not What
the Tobacco Industry Says It Is (continued page 4)
This national foundation has two
purposes according to the Settlement: 1. The study of and programs to reduce
youth tobacco product usage and youth substance abuse in the States, and
2. The study of and educational programs to prevent diseases associated
with the use of tobacco products in the states. Issues that arise from
Section VI (pages 19-22) on the foundation which show the ineffectiveness
and absurdities of this foundation:
The emphasis is on funding
programs that focus on youth, a tactic that does not work as effectively
as those programs which are more comprehensive and reach out to youth and
adults.
There is an inclusion of other substances of abuse, which can easily
derail the needed emphasis on tobacco (which kills and harms more people,
including youth, than all other drugs combined).
In addition, programs funded by the foundation that are not just targeted
to youth must focus on educational programs to prevent diseases associated
with the use of tobacco products. This then excludes programs that target
secondhand smoke issues as well as cessation activities.
Research has shown (and the CDC agrees) that the most effective public
health tobacco programs are those that target the entire population (not
just youth) with the objectives of preventing people from starting tobacco
consumption, of supporting those who wish to quit, and of protecting the
public from the hazards of secondhand smoke. This foundation's stated purpose,
function, and activities are in conflict with this research.
Public health tobacco experts are left out of this foundation! Foundation
board members consist of essentially political appointees, with no assurances
they are public health experts with expertise in reducing tobacco consumption.
"The board of directors shall be comprised of 11 directors. NAAG,
NGA, and NCSL shall each select from its membership 2 directors. These
6 directors shall select the 5 additional directors. One of these 5 additional
directors shall have expertise in public health issues. 4 of these 5 additional
directors shall have expertise in medical, child psychology, or public health
disciplines." (VI.(d), page 20) Note: NAAG = National Association
of Attorneys General; NGA = National Governors' Association; NCSL= National
Council of State Legislators
Since most states now have statewide tobacco control programs funded
either through state tobacco excise taxes or the Centers for Disease Control,
this foundation sets up a parallel program with great risk for conflict
or redundancy with existing programs. Why isn't this foundation money going
to the CDC or to the states directly to use for tobacco reduction work?
Research shows the marketing messages that are most effective at prevention
and cessation are those that either point out the tobacco industry's manipulation
of the public or educate on the hazards of secondhand smoke (JAMA, 3/10/98).
Section VI.(h) disallows these two messages from being used in any foundation-related
activities.
This foundation essentially derails money that could go to effective
tobacco-related public health initiatives. Because this foundation money
exists for some sort of tobacco-related public health functions (as ineffective
as they will be), this will make it much harder for states and Congress
to pass budgets that include money for more effective tobacco-related public
health education since the perception will be that the need for such work
is fulfilled by this foundation.
The venue for determining the success of the foundation and other Settlement
activities aimed at reduce youth smoking is a twice annual meeting and once
every three year national conference convened by NAAG for the Attorneys
General of each Settling State, the foundation's board members, and three
persons designated by each participating Tobacco Company. (VIII(a)(2) page
24) In other words, the Tobacco Industry will be participating in determining
the success and future direction of the anti-tobacco activities of the foundation
and the Settlement!
Not only is it disturbing to learn what this proposed settlement has
in it for "public health", it is also disturbing to learn what
it is lacking: · Look Back Provision: There is no look back provision
in this settlement - a key provision found in some earlier proposals that
are critical to reducing youth smoking. These provisions make the tobacco
companies partly responsible for reducing youth smoking.