Jump to full article: Chattanoogan.com, 2010-06-18
Author: Judy Frank
Intro: A coalition of local health-related agencies led by the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Health Council says Riverbend Festival officials have violated a federal court agreement by allowing cigarette companies to promote their products to children, teens and young adults. . . .
"In 1998, the attorneys general of 46 states, including Tennessee, signed a Master Settlement Agreement with the four largest tobacco companies in the U.S.," according to the letter . . .
The letter, in its entirety, reads:
June 17, 2010 Chip Baker, Executive Director Friends of the Festival 180 Hamm Road Chattanooga, TN 37405-
This letter is a follow-up to correspondence dated December 31, 2009 and April 30, 2010, sent to you from the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Health Council. These communications referenced the past practice of the Friends of the Festival allowing tobacco product vendors to advertise and distribute tobacco products at Riverbend in the presence of children, teens and young adults, which we believe is a violation of the federal Master Settlement Agreement of 1998.
It is with much regret that we find that you and your organization made the apparent decision to proceed with having tobacco product vendors at the Riverbend Festival again this year, knowing that they are continuing to distribute free tobacco products including cigarette samples.
To add insult, we observed this year that the Longhorn Tobacco Company trailer has been positioned next to the Children's Play Area and the Camel Cigarette tent near the food court where many children and families gather. . . .
In addition to complying with the law, we urge you to be proactive and join other entities such as the Neyland Stadium and the Bristol Motor Speedway in making Riverbend a smoke-free outdoor venue, which would prevent deadly second hand smoke exposure to all festival goers.
The following organizations endorse this joint letter, urging your organization to adopt a new policy that protects our children and families from the influence of the tobacco industry:
Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Health Council Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department Smoke-Free Chattanooga Coalition American Lung Association Chattanooga Chapter American Cancer Society Chattanooga Chapter American Heart Association
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