Statement of M. Cass Wheeler, CEO, American Heart Association on American Legacy Foundation's effort to block Lorillard Tobacco Company lawsuit

American Heart Association
Wednesday, 13 February 2002

The American Heart Association supports the efforts of the American Legacy Foundation to block Lorillard Tobacco Company's attempt to shut down a popular and highly effective anti-tobacco advertising campaign that is successfully addressing the problem of youth smoking.

Legacy's "truth" campaign is saving the lives of America's children, and should be allowed to continue without interruption. Lorillard intends to file a lawsuit using a provision in the Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) that Lorillard alleges bars Legacy from using its funds for "personal attacks or vilification" of the tobacco industry. The cigarette maker's effort to derail the "truth" campaign only undercuts the credibility of their claim that it does not want kids to smoke.

Each day, more than 6,000 people under the age of 18 try a cigarette - with half becoming daily smokers. This is a deadly trend that must be stopped, especially when each year more than 400,000 Americans die from smoking-related illnesses. More than 40 percent of those deaths are the result of cardiovascular diseases.

If Lorillard, which manufactures Newport cigarettes, one of the top three brands preferred by youth, particularly by African Americans, is truly serious about protecting kids from smoking, Lorillard will drop its intended lawsuit immediately.

The American Heart Association is proud of the American Legacy Foundation and its continued success with its "truth" campaign to protect the nation's youth from the deadly epidemic of disease and death that cigarette smoking poses. We believe its success should continue without interference from tobacco companies like Lorillard.

For more information, or to contact American Heart Association, see their website at: www.americanheart.org