Jump to full article: U.S. Newswire, 2006-10-31
Intro: An important new study released today finds that the tobacco companies' youth prevention campaigns do nothing to reduce youth smoking rates and the industry's parent-focused ads may actually increase intention to smoke among older teens. The findings, published in the latest edition of the American Journal of Public Health, are further evidence that Big Tobacco cannot be the source for kids when it comes to learning about the dangers associated with tobacco use.
Despite their assertions to the contrary, the tobacco companies are just blowing smoke when they say they've changed their ways. Ninety percent of smokers begin smoking before the age of 21. Tobacco companies know that unless they recruit replacement smokers from among our nation's youth, their profits will plummet.
This study emphasizes the need for states to adequately fund comprehensive tobacco prevention programs. . . .
It is also time for Congress to pass legislation that would grant the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authority over tobacco products. . . .
In her opinion, Judge Gladys Kessler also found that the companies continue to target kids, stating: "The evidence in this case clearly establishes that (companies) have not ceased engaging in unlawful activity ... their continuing conduct misleads consumers in order to maximize (their) revenues by recruiting new smokers (the majority of whom are under the age of 18) ... and thereby sustaining the industry."
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