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• Blue Cross Marks 10-Year Anniversary of Victory Over Tobacco Industry 

Ten years ago this week, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (Blue Cross) became the first private insurance company to score a legal victory against the tobacco industry. On May 8, 1998, Blue Cross and the State of Minnesota agreed to settlement terms with the tobacco industry, ending a four-month trial that had national and even international implications. The benefits of this settlement are clear today, as Minnesota enjoys a lower smoking rate than the national average.

The historic lawsuit and trial received worldwide attention for exposing the tobacco industry's long history of deceptive marketing, advertising and research, ultimately forcing the industry to change its business practices. In addition to Blue Cross' monetary award of $469 million and the State's award of $6.1 billion, the settlement required tobacco companies to stop a number of practices in Minnesota. The restrictions, which were quickly adopted by 46 other states . . . Others have said our decision to sue the industry was the greatest act of corporate courage they had ever seen. Courageous or not, it was the right thing to do," said Dr. Mark Banks, CEO, Blue Cross. "The lawsuit paved the way for significant public health achievements and will continue to have a profound impact on the health of our members and all Minnesotans for years to come."

Ten years later, the victory over the tobacco industry is still giving back to Minnesotans. Blue Cross continues to commit its settlement money to create lasting change that improves health for all Minnesotans. In 2006, Blue Cross launched Prevention Minnesota, a long-term initiative to reduce heart disease and cancers by tackling their root causes -- tobacco use, secondhand smoke, physical inactivity and unhealthy eating. . . .

Blue Cross will mark the tobacco settlement anniversary by hosting a day-long Prevention Minnesota conference at the Minneapolis Marriott Southwest in Minnetonka on May 8. For more information on Blue Cross' Prevention Minnesota initiative, visit http://www.bluecrossmn.com/preventionminnesota.

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