Congress loves Big Tobacco enough to regulate it.
Jump to full article: The Wall Street Journal Interactive Edition, 2009-06-13
Intro: The legislation happens to make it more difficult for tobacco companies to market smokeless alternatives to cigarettes that are far less lethal because they contain fewer carcinogens than cigarettes and don't enter the lungs. And while reducing the tar or nicotine content of an individual cigarette might make it "safer," it will also induce some people to smoke more to achieve the same fix . . .
What's also clear is that prohibiting menthol would especially hurt Lorillard, the top menthol cigarette maker, and Philip Morris, whose Marlboro Menthol is the second-leading menthol brand after Newport. . . .
Which brings us to the real cynical beauty of this bill: It lets the politicians claim to be punishing Big Tobacco while further cementing their financial partnership. It's no coincidence that Philip Morris, the market leader, is squarely behind a bill that allows the FDA to curb advertisements. The Altria Group subsidiary is hoping to solidify its market share, and any regulation that impedes the ability of smaller rivals to advertise and lure away Philip Morris customers can only benefit the Marlboro Man and his shareholders.
The government has also become increasingly dependent on tax revenue from Big Tobacco . . .
There's also more than a little doubt that the bill's advertising bans can survive a First Amendment challenge. . . .
To sum up, this bill is largely an exercise in political and financial self-interest masquerading as public virtue. Another day at the Washington office.
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