During the last fiscal year, it generated another $270 million in revenues from cigarette taxes. Under the agreement, states were to apply a portion of the settlement to smoking prevention and cessation programs. On Thursday, state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, who led efforts resulting in the tobacco settlement, announced that the state's share of settlement payments is due to rise another $27 million this year and annually for the next decade. It should dedicate the latest...

The striking thing about that appraisal is how true it remains today -- even after the $206 billion Master Settlement Agreement between tobacco makers and 46 states in 1998, the $40 billion settlement with four other states, and the flood of internal documents showing that the industry long knew its products were addictive and dangerous. The striking thing about that appraisal is how true it remains today -- even after the $206 billion Master Settlement Agreement between tobacco makers and...

Take A Stand Against Physically-Harmful Tobacco - And Reply posted May 26, 2007 In several states, politicians, the concerned media, health-related agencies, and citizen/voters are stepping up and taking a stand against the physically harmful use of tobacco. Somehow this type of action needs to be exercised throughout Southeast Tennessee. Take A Stand Against Physically-Harmful Tobacco - And Reply posted May 26, 2007 In several states, politicians, the concerned media, health-related...

These classrooms have been teaching children about alcohol, tobacco and drug awareness for over three months, hoping to get them in a mindset to resist peer pressure. Here is some history on the program and where it has gone since 1983: -The DARE program was founded in 1983 in Los Angeles to provide students the skills they need to avoid involvement in drugs, gangs and violence. Before they can teach a class, the officers perform 80 hours of special training in child development, classroom...

But the 2007 world of Big Tobacco - cohabited by aggressive action against it and aggressive investment in it-- merits that description. Despite lawsuits, health warnings, special funds for corrective advertising, and the imposition of taxes and bans on smoking in public buildings, Big Tobacco rolls on. That has meant some degree of personal disconnect in years of reporting on an industry that remains such a prominent Wall Street investment and mutual fund holding. Encouraging his behavior...