Statement from American Cancer Society On Lorillard and the Truth Campaign

American Cancer Society
Monday, 29 January 2001

Today, the American Cancer Society, the nation's leading voluntary health organization, issued the following statement regarding the Lorillard Tobacco Company's request to end the "truth" campaign:

"The American Cancer Society deplores Lorillard Tobacco Company's attempt to silence the American Legacy Foundation's highly effective 'truth' advertising campaign. We stand united with the Legacy Foundation on this issue. Tobacco companies are the last entities on earth that should be allowed to dictate what goes into the pro-health advertising. To reach children and teenagers, these ads have to be edgy and provocative, and they are. Humor and irreverence are entirely appropriate in communicating with kids. These ads do not 'vilify' anyone. They tell the truth about tobacco, and that appears to be what Lorillard fears most.

"In contrast to the award-winning 'truth' campaign, Lorillard funds a stunningly inept campaign that it calls "tobacco is whacko if you're a teen." Lorillard's advertising fails to mention that smoking is addictive and deadly, and goes out of its way to frame smoking as an adult behavior – making it all the more attractive to kids.

"We are confident that this effort to intimidate the Legacy Foundation will fail and that 'truth' will prevail."

The American Cancer Society is the largest nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy and service.

For information about cancer, call toll-free anytime 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit the American Cancer Society website.

For more information, or to contact American Cancer Society, see their website at: www.cancer.org