wfn.org | Agency head applauds $145 billion anti-tobacco verdict

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

July 26, 2000 News media contact: Joretta Purdue ·(202) 546-8722·Washington
10-21-71B{344}

NOTE:  Full text of statement is at end of this story.

WASHINGTON (UMNS) - The head of the United Methodist advocacy agency on
public policy has applauded the Florida jury's award of $145 billion dollars
to smokers for tobacco-related illnesses.

"The jury's ruling makes clear that citizens have a right to hold tobacco
companies accountable for marketing and selling its deadly products, said
the Rev. Thom White Wolf Fassett, top executive of the denomination's Board
of Church and Society.

In a statement issued July 20, Fassett said the denomination considers
smoking to be hazardous to the health of everyone. "While we agree that
individuals are given free will to make choices, bad or good, this does not
license the tobacco industry to exploit human weakness," he commented.  The
church's policy and law-making body, meeting in May,  passed a resolution
supporting comprehensive tobacco control legislation.  

"Tobacco companies have been without conscience in their product marketing,
especially to youth and children, and have lied to the public about the
addictive nature of tobacco," Fassett said.

Tobacco use among children has been increasing over the last five years, he
added. "Some 5 million children alive today (in the United States)  may die
as a result of smoking,"

He also said a Common Cause report on contributions to members of Congress
"makes evident the pervasive influence tobacco companies have in shaping
national health policy as it pertains to smoking." Fassett expressed the
hope that the verdict sends a strong message to the tobacco industry "that
the public will no longer tolerate their deceitful and
destructive practices."
# # #
(The following is a statement by the Rev. Thom White Wolf Fassett, top staff
executive of the United Methodist Board of Church and Society, the church's
international public policy and social action agency.. Only General
Conference speaks for the United Methodist Church as a whole.)

Jury's Ruling A Victory for Anti-Smoking Advocates-Tobacco Industry Is Held
Accountable

	The General Board of Church and Society celebrates the historic
decision by a Miami jury in ordering the tobacco industry to pay nearly $145
billion dollars to thousands of Florida smokers to compensate them for
diseases caused by cigarettes. The jury's ruling makes clear that citizens
have a right to hold tobacco companies accountable for marketing and selling
its deadly products.

	The United Methodist Church recognizes smoking as hazardous to the
health of all persons. While we agree that individuals are given free will
to make choices, bad or good, this does not license the tobacco industry to
exploit human weakness. The Church at its General Conference in May passed a
resolution supporting comprehensive tobacco control legislation.  

	Tobacco companies have been without conscience in their product
marketing, especially to youth and children, and have lied to the public
about the addictive nature of tobacco. A recent Common Cause report on
political contributions to members of Congress makes evident the pervasive
influence tobacco companies have in shaping national health policy as it
pertains to smoking. 

	Tobacco use among children has increased steadily over the last five
years--at current rates, some 5 million children alive today may die as a
result of smoking. We hope the verdict sends a strong message to the tobacco
industry that the public will no longer tolerate their deceitful and
destructive practices.

#  #  #

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United Methodist News Service
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