Tobacco Wars 1997 Preview Upcoming Battles at Federal and State Levels

Washington, DC - Tobacco promises to be a hotly debated issue in Congress and in state governments this year. The new Congress has already introduced two bills to undermine the FDA rule. Attorneys General in 18 states are preparing to go to trial against tobacco companies, and state legislatures are proposing a series of aggressive new anti-tobacco laws. These and other topics will be discussed at a media briefing to preview these upcoming battles, such as: ? Bills introduced by Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) and Sen. Wendell Ford (D-KY) to undermine the FDA rule scheduled to go into effect Feb. 28; ? The effect that Appropriations Committee funding may have on the FDA; ? The status of the Attorney General lawsuits suing tobacco companies to recoup medical costs; ? An overview on major anti-tobacco legislation being introduced in state legislatures. Join us for an informal briefing to hear about these and other issues likely to arise this year. Media Briefing 10:00 AM, Wednesday, Jan. 29 National Center For Tobacco-Free Kids, Board Room 1707 L St., NW Suite 800 Washington, DC Leading the briefing are two of the nation’s leading experts on tobacco issues: Matthew Myers is executive vice president and general counsel for the National Center For Tobacco-Free Kids. Mr. Myers has spent more than 20 years working on tobacco-control issues. He formerly ran the Federal Trade Commission’s tobacco advertising program and was awarded the Surgeon General’s Medal in honor of his work by Dr. C. Everett Koop. Susan Polan is Director of Government Relations for the American Cancer Society. Ms. Polan was an American Association for the Advancement of Science and Technology Congressional Fellow in Sen. Edward Kennedy’s office where she worked on tobacco, mental health and crime control issues. EDITOR'S NOTE: The CAMPAIGN FOR TOBACCO-FREE KIDS will hold another briefing Feb. 6 to bring reporters up-to-date on the tobacco companies’ lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of FDA rule. A hearing is scheduled Feb. 10 in Greensboro, NC to hear arguments in that case.