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Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG
Mo. Digital News
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Mo. Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG
Mo. Digital News
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Mo. Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon refused to comment Thursday about his views on the proposed settlement with the tobacco industry that is being negotiated by the attorney generals of several states.
Nixon elected not to sign on to the suit filed by eight states that appears near to a settlement. The companies, tobacco giants RJR Nabisco and Philip Morris, would reportedly settle for more than $200 billion. In the past, Nixon has said the cost of being involved in such a lawsuit would be too high for the state.
Nixon was asked about the latest developments at a news conference he scheduled on a crime-victims bill.
The state attorney general refused any comment on the matter.
"That's off the subject here, and I would like to keep it on the task," Nixon said. "We can discuss that later. I'll be available later on that. I'd like to keep this to the particular subject we've got here."
Nixon persisted in refusing comment when asked later after the news conference.
Besides the monetary amount, the proposed settlement would require tobacco companies to change their advertising to be less appealing to children. That would mean no more Marlboro Man or Joe Camel.
Another provision would allow the FDA to regulate the quantity of nicotine in cigarettes.
The final significant portion of the settlement would place a moratorium on any future lawsuits against these companies.
Other Missouri officials were more willing to comment on the matter.
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Brian May said he supports making tobacco companies liable, but is hesitant to close the door on future suits.
"We need to be sure that individual litigants, like my father, would be free to bring a suit," said May, D-St. Louis County, whose father has emphysema. "My concern is that we may have foreclosed some of those opportunities."
May said he sees the lawsuit as insulation from future litigation for the tobacco companies.
Rep. Mary Bland, chairman of the House Public Health Committee, said she is glad Missouri has not signed onto the lawsuit, but she cited different reasons than May.
"I think it's ridiculous to say that a company is responsible for you smoking," said Bland, D-St. Louis. "We could say that obesity is due to potato chips and ice cream and candy bars and sue all those people."
Bland, a former smoker, said she thinks it is up to individuals, rather than tobacco companies to take responsibility for smoking, provided those individuals are adults.
Sen. Jet Banks, chairman of the Senate Public Health Committee, concurred with Bland.
"By curtailing their appetite, I don't see where it's all going to cut down the sale or the usage of tobacco," said Banks, D-St. Louis.