American Cancer Society supports Federal Government Suit Against

American Cancer Society
Tuesday, 18 March 2003

Statement of John R. Seffrin, Chief Executive Officer

"We commend the Department of Justice for its decision to seek $289 billion in damages from Big Tobacco. Money talks and seems to be the only means of holding the industry accountable. Despite repeated promises to change their tune, Big Tobacco is still singing the same old song with advertising and marketing targeted specifically at children and teenagers. Their deceptive practices, detailed in numerous internal industry documents, have compromised the health of millions of Americans for decades.

"In fact, considering that tobacco related health problems cost the economy $157.7 billion a year, the industry is getting off cheap. Despite being the most preventable cause of premature death and disability, tobacco kills more than 440,000 Americans a year. Thirty percent of all cancer deaths are attributable to tobacco use. Big Tobacco has known for years about the devastating and deadly effects of their product, yet has chosen to ignore the facts, hide the truth, and mislead the public.

"Pursuing the federal government's lawsuit is critical to ensuring the tobacco industry is not only held accountable for past acts, but also behaves responsibly in the future. To this end, the Society urges Congress to enact legislation giving the Food and Drug Administration meaningful regulatory authority over tobacco products to save lives and protect our nation's children from the harms of tobacco."

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