Despite its stated mission, “To promote the art and science of medicine and the betterment of public health,” the American Medical Association (AMA) has taken many missteps in protecting the health of the American people. One of the most striking examples is the AMA’s long-term relationship with the tobacco industry.

Both the AMA and individual doctors sided with big tobacco for decades after the deleterious effects of smoking were proven. Medical historians have tracked this relationship in great detail, examining internal documents from tobacco companies and their legal counsel and public relations advisers. The overarching theme of big tobacco’s efforts was to keep alive the appearance of a “debate” or “controversy” of the health effects of cigarette smoking.

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For seven years, proponents have been trying to get the Food and Drug Administration to regulate cigarettes, and President Bush has firmly opposed.

Just last week, he declared that “nicotine is not a drug to be regulated under FDA.”

But most Americans think it is. In a new Washington Post poll, two-thirds of the public said they support the proposal set to be considered in the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions this morning.

Under Republican control, the Senate approved a similar proposal two years ago, only to have it die in the House.

The poll released today shows that support stretches across party lines, with solid backing by Democrats, Republicans and independents alike. The bill has been pushed by Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) and has 51 co-sponsors — 37 Democrats, 12 Republicans and both Senate independents.

Perhaps just as important, 45 percent of smokers said they support FDA oversight.

– Jon Cohen

Video: Fugitive makes cigarette pit stop

PHOENIX - A man involved in a police chase on Tuesday surprised authorities when he stopped at a convenience store to buy cigarettes — before resuming the pursuit.

That is exactly what happened Tuesday in Phoenix, where authorities chased a suspected bank robber through city streets. The suspect weaved his way through neighborhoods and made a couple of close calls with cars on the roadways. At one point, an undercover officer in a truck ran into the suspect — trying to spin him out.

Then, in the middle of the chase, the suspect made a pit stop at a convenience store — and ran inside, apparently to buy a pack of smokes. The clerk said the guy seemed to be in a hurry, but paid for the pack and left.

“I give him [the cigarettes] and he gave me $20 and he left,” the store clerk said.

Police eventually deployed a spike strip, which blew out one of the suspects tires, before taking him into custody.

By Claire St. John/Enterprise staff writer

The Davis City Council voted Tuesday night to study ways to fund more police officers for Davis and to quell sales of cigarettes to minors.

Not coincidentally, because the Police Department is understaffed, tobacco sales to youth are not easily monitored or penalized, but Tuesday’s night’s council meeting went some way toward correcting both problems.

The city has been studying how to streamline its Police Department, fund needs and add more sworn officers to the street. The City Council was presented with a plan to phase in support, starting with a $150,000 allocation this year for some reorganization.

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By Brad Dorfman
REUTERS

7:08 a.m. July 25, 2007

CHICAGO – Tobacco company Reynolds American Inc. posted a 13.6 percent drop in quarterly profit Wednesday, falling short of Wall Street forecasts due to lower U.S. cigarette shipments.

Like other tobacco companies, Reynolds has seen its U.S. cigarette business hit by higher taxes and payments to states as part of the 1998 tobacco settlement. The company bought the Conwood smokeless tobacco company last year to tap into the smokeless tobacco market, which is growing while the U.S. cigarette market shrinks.

Reynolds on Wednesday raised its quarterly dividend and also raised the lower end of its full-year earnings forecast. The company’s shares were down 55 cents to $63.20 in early trade on the New York Stock Exchange.

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By Kelly Enos

California has been one of the most successful states in the fight against tobacco use and second hand smoke. Despite this success, or perhaps because of it, tobacco interests continue to contribute millions of dollars to state politicians, according to a report by the California Center for Tobacco Policy & Organizing.

The report examined political contributions during the 2005-06 election cycle and found that tobacco companies and tobacco-affiliated organizations spent more than $66 million on campaign contributions and more than $2 million on lobbying.

The bulk of tobacco money went toward defeating Proposition 86, which would have raised the cigarette tax by $2.60 a pack, as well as raised taxes on other tobacco-related products, raising money for tobacco prevention, research on diseases caused by tobacco and other measures, according to the report.

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Gary Heinlein / The Detroit News
LANSING — Legislation to ban smoking in public places — including restaurants, bars and Detroit casinos — cleared a key House committee today and was sent to the full House.

It’s the farthest a broad anti-smoking measure has made it in the Michigan Legislature, after a decade of efforts by proponents to pass such legislation. If the bill makes it all the way through the Legislature, and that’s uncertain at this point, Michigan would join 32 other states that prohibit smoking in public buildings.

“We are elated that this is the farthest this legislation has gone and hope the House takes quick action,” said Judy Stewart, Michigan spokeswoman for the Campaign for Smokefree Air and the American Cancer Society.

But Matt Groen, legislative affairs manager for the Michigan Restaurant Association, said he hopes the Republican-led Senate will quash the bill — assuming it passes the House. He said 4,300 restaurants already bar smoking but owners should be free to choose.

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The Associated Press
Tuesday, July 24, 2007; 8:28 AM

CHICAGO — Illinois smokers are in for a cold winter.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed legislation Monday making Illinois the latest state to ban smoking in public places _ including bars, restaurants and work places. The law goes into effect Jan. 1.

Chicago and dozens of other communities already restrict smoking, but the new law trumps local ordinances that are weaker or that exempt businesses with air filtration systems, state health officials said.

Smokers will still be allowed to light up in their homes, cars, at retail tobacco shops, in certain motel rooms and outdoors. If they get caught smoking in a public place off limits under the new law, though, they could be fined up to $250, and the business could get a $2,500 fine.

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