This transfer of blame is particularly misguided when one considers that evidence presented in court indicated tobacco companies deliberately attempted to target teens and preteens as a replacement market for the estimated 1,000 smokers a day who die prematurely. While I, too, support accountability and personal responsibility, it is irresponsible of national leaders to blame children while remaining silent on the culpability of the tobacco companies. Congress' failure to take advantage of this historic settlement agreement returns this battle to the courtroom. Earlier this month, St. Louis City Circuit Judge Jimmy Edwards set an 18-month deadline for the start of our lawsuit against the major tobacco companies, with the trial scheduled to begin Jan. 24, 2000. Missouri's lawsuit is not about adults smoking.
Adults have the right to smoke.
Our lawsuit is about whether tobacco companies have a right to break Missouri laws by illegally targeting our children and by lying to the public regarding the content of cigarettes and other tobacco products and the addictive nature of nicotine. We are preparing to argue that the companies did both and, in so doing, are in violation of Missouri consumer protection laws.