Not surprisingly, smokers incur higher health costs because of the serious illnesses associated with tobacco use. This led several states, including Iowa, to sue the tobacco industry to recoup the increased Medicaid expenditures due to tobacco use. For a variety of reasons including the tobacco industry s apparent culpability in encouraging underage smoking, the industry agreed to settle with the forty states that had filed suit. In June of 1997, the states and the tobacco industry announced their settlement agreement. The settlement covers a wide range of issues including reducing youth smoking, industry payments, regulation of nicotine, and restrictions on advertising.
Congressional action is required for a settlement to become effective.
This is why the Congress is considering comprehensive, bipartisan legislation to curb tobacco use. There is considerable disagreement over the particulars of the settlement and deciding what approach is best will generate much debate in the coming months, especially in the House Commerce Committee on which I serve. The culpability of the tobacco industry in encouraging underage smoking is becoming clearer every day with the release of previously secret documents. In my next three weekly reports, I will explain the who, what, why, where and when of this historic effort to reduce tobacco addiction. I urge everyone to follow this very important debate.