AMA Resolutions

Resolution: X  (A-01)

Introduced by: American College of Preventive Medicine
                       American Association of Public Health
                       Physicians

Subject:   Assuring Adequate Funding for the DOJ Tobacco
                Lawsuit

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Whereas, in September 2000, U.S. District Court Judge Gladys Kessler ruled that the government’s racketeering claims against the tobacco industry have sufficient merit to proceed; and

Whereas, many of the racketeering complaints concern industry propaganda activities that denied the health risks of smoking, undermined honest research efforts on tobacco use, and secretly supported scientists who presented tobacco industry views masquerading as independent research; and

Whereas, the industry’s 50-year disinformation campaign has hamstrung the government’s ability to effectively warn the public about nicotine addiction; and

Whereas, the Justice Department’s landmark lawsuit against the tobacco industry may be dropped because of insufficient federal funding to maintain the litigation; and

Whereas, Justice Department lawyers have estimated needing $57.6 million in the coming fiscal year to continue the government's lawsuit (seeking >$100 billion in damages from tobacco companies); and

Whereas, the budget proposed by President Bush holds the budget at $1.8 million for a staff of 31, and a hiring freeze has hampered the Justice department's ability to maintain the lawsuit; and

Whereas, a 3/12/01 memo to Attorney General John D. Ashcroft from the Justice Department's Tobacco Litigation Team said that without sufficient funding, "we cannot maintain the action" and "there are no realistic prospects for a settlement" in the case; therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the AMA strongly supports federal funding of the Justice Department lawsuit regarding tobacco industry racketeering at a level sufficient to create realistic prospects for a trial verdict or settlement clearly favoring public health and the American public; and further be it

RESOLVED, that the AMA send a letter to the President, Attorney General, and appropriate members of Congress indicating this strong support.

Fiscal impact: None