Tobacco Settlement

In November 1998, the attorneys general from 46 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and three territories reached a settlement on their lawsuit against the nation's five largest cigarette manufacturers for the cost of treating smoking-related illnesses of Medicaid patients. The settlement is worth $206 billion over the next 25 years, of which $195 billion will be paid directly to the states. Prior to this agreement, Florida, Minnesota, Mississippi and Texas had individually settled their lawsuits with the tobacco industry for more than $40 billion.

State officials originally promised to use the funds for projects to reduce tobacco use, such as smoking cessation and prevention. Since that time, however, many states have decided to use all or a major portion of their settlement funds for other state projects. Most states decide how to allocate these funds through the legislative process.

As tobacco settlement monies begin to flow into state coffers, there is heightened interest on just where these monies will be spent. The Tobacco Free Kids Campaign offers a wide variety of information about what states are doing to curb the number of new smokers in each state and provides information about which states have implemented programs using the funds from the tobacco settlement.

To find more specific information on the amounts each state will receive from the tobacco settlement, visit the National Association of Attorneys General Web site. Certain states are also putting specific sections on their Web sites that discuss the tobacco settlement. To access your state Web site insert your two letter state abbreviation into the following Web site address: http://www.(your state's 2 letter abbreviation).us. Click on the "search" button and type in "tobacco settlement."

The AARC advocates the use of these funds toward tobacco reduction and medical treatment for smoking-related diseases. The AARC encourages its members to become involved in legislative or regulatory activities that determine how to spend tobacco settlement funds. To help respiratory therapists become involved in advocating the use of these funds for tobacco reduction efforts, the AARC outlines this plan:

Investing Tobacco Settlement Funds

  1. Create a "Tobacco Settlement Fund" task force within your state society to be the focal point of respiratory therapist's activities on the issue.
  2. Treat this issue like any other legislative goal your society pursues. Your task force can develop its own plan to accomplish the following:
    • Submit regular progress reports to your board of directors.
    • Monitor tobacco-related legislation in the state.
    • Apprise members of activities on an ongoing basis.
    • Develop a network of allies.
    • Mobilize your society's grassroots network.
  3. Prepare your members to communicate your society's position on any legislation related to this issue. Prepare sample letters or talking points for your members.
  4. Develop a position statement similar to North Dakota's and other lobbying materials in support of your argument; include:
    • The results of a poll on the public's preference for use of the funds.
    • An information piece on tobacco use in your state, including the cost in lives and money.
    • An education piece on the positive results of smoking cessation and tobacco programs.
    • Estimated costs of implementing an effective plan on a long-term basis.
  5. Become a member of a coalition including representatives from the state chapters of the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, and the American Lung Association to lobby the legislature on this issue.
  6. Access other web sites that may provide information helpful to your efforts including:

Talking Points for Letters to State Legislators and Governors

Letters to state legislators and officials should be personalized. In letter -- writing campaigns, sending a massive amount of letters that appeared to have followed the same format may actually work against your effort. Therefore, we encourage RTs participating in any letter-writing campaign to include key points, but to do so in their own words.]

The Honorable ____
[Address]
[City, State, Zip]

[Dear Governor ____:]
[Dear Senator ____:]
[Dear Representative: ____]

The tobacco settlement is a significant step in the state's efforts toward tobacco prevention and medical treatment for smoking-related diseases. The tobacco settlement fund should be allocated toward tobacco reduction and prevention programs and medical treatment for patients already suffering from smoking-related diseases. Respiratory therapists have first-hand knowledge of the devastating effects of smoking on the cardio-pulmonary system. (Mention any personal experience you have had working with patients with emphysema, asthma, and other pulmonary diseases. Also, you can mention the smoking cessation efforts of your state society and the AARC.)

Sincerely,

[Your Name] [City, State, Zip, Your Telephone#]

North Dakota Society for Respiratory Care Position Statement Regarding the Allocation of Funds from Settlements with Tobacco Product Manufacturers

"The North Dakota Society for Respiratory Care's position on the allocation of funds received from settlements with tobacco products manufacturers: These funds should be used to directly benefit those who have been and can be negatively affected by tobacco use. Tobacco settlements use should include: elementary and secondary education programs, public awareness campaigns, programs to reduce the burden of tobacco related disease, and tobacco cessation programs. Other use of these funds defeat the intent of the tobacco settlement."

 

 

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