Tobacco deal in the US - the beginning of the end for Big Tobacco?
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ASH News Release - 21 June 1997 ASH welcomed the $368.5 billion settlement as the beginning of the end for Big Tobacco. "The tobacco lobby boasted for many years that they had not paid a penny in damages, and this settlement changes all that. There should be no doubt now that cigarettes are a lethal addictive drug and that the tobacco business will never be the same again." said Clive Bates, Director of ASH - Action on Smoking and Health. The agreement runs to seventy pages (ASH has a summary ). It involves:
But ASH stressed the difference between the US and UK. In the UK many of the positive aspects of the settlement can be realised by a committed Government without any deal. The Labour Government has said it will ban tobacco advertising and promotion and introduce a tough tobacco policy. In the UK we already raise large sums from tobacco taxation - the settlement amounts to about $15 billion per year this compares with total tobacco taxation receipts for the UK of just over £10 billion. The Government could also regulate nicotine under the Medicines Act and phase it out. However, the litigation side of the settlement is relevant. There are cases against tobacco companies in the UK (47 victims begin action on 1st July). For these and many other sufferers, the companies must now consider a UK settlement. "The UK Government doesn't need a deal to clamp down on tobacco. But for UK victims of tobacco-related disease and their families, the tobacco settlement offers new hope. People or organisations that have been harmed by cigarettes should consider coming forward - the tobacco companies should now expect repeated failures in court and get ready to pay for a big UK settlement." said Clive Bates. A summary of the US settlement is available. ENDS
For more information contact:
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ASH News Release - 21 June 1997 ASH welcomed the $368.5 billion settlement as the beginning of the end for Big Tobacco. "The tobacco lobby boasted for many years that they had not paid a penny in damages, and this settlement changes all that. There should be no doubt now that cigarettes are a lethal addictive drug and that the tobacco business will never be the same again." said Clive Bates, Director of ASH - Action on Smoking and Health. The agreement runs to seventy pages (ASH has a summary ). It involves:
But ASH stressed the difference between the US and UK. In the UK many of the positive aspects of the settlement can be realised by a committed Government without any deal. The Labour Government has said it will ban tobacco advertising and promotion and introduce a tough tobacco policy. In the UK we already raise large sums from tobacco taxation - the settlement amounts to about $15 billion per year this compares with total tobacco taxation receipts for the UK of just over £10 billion. The Government could also regulate nicotine under the Medicines Act and phase it out. However, the litigation side of the settlement is relevant. There are cases against tobacco companies in the UK (47 victims begin action on 1st July). For these and many other sufferers, the companies must now consider a UK settlement. "The UK Government doesn't need a deal to clamp down on tobacco. But for UK victims of tobacco-related disease and their families, the tobacco settlement offers new hope. People or organisations that have been harmed by cigarettes should consider coming forward - the tobacco companies should now expect repeated failures in court and get ready to pay for a big UK settlement." said Clive Bates. A summary of the US settlement is available. ENDS
For more information contact:
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