Tobacco companies showing states the money

LAS VEGAS - To Texas lawmaker Robert Junell, the multibillion-dollar tobacco settlements are taking on the theme of a popular catchphrase from a movie: "Show me the money."

"That's kind of been our theme I guess," state Rep. Junell, D-San Angelo, said Wednesday, incorporating the saying from "Jerry Maguire" into his talk before the National Conference of State Legislatures.

More than 5,000 legislators from across the country are in Las Vegas for the annual meeting, which ends Thursday.

Four states - Mississippi, Minnesota, Texas and Florida - have settled lawsuits that sought to recoup the costs of treating sick smokers, securing industry promises for $36.8 billion. The tobacco companies still could face similar lawsuits from 37 states; Washington's lawsuit against the industry is set to start Sept. 14.

"This is an industry that has lied to the American people," Mississippi Attorney General Michael Moore said, explaining his state's settlement. "They lied to us and they messed with our kids. Those are two things you don't mess with down South."

Despite the huge sum of money involved, Moore said the cases aren't about money, but about protecting children and public health.

Moore also said raising the price of cigarettes, as the Senate has suggested, will not curb teen smoking. He said most states have never tried enforcing some laws such as prosecuting people who sell cigarettes to minors.

"We gotta pray a whole lot and maybe we'll reduce teen smoking by 50 percent in seven years. ... This fight is ongoing," he said.

The federal government is also considering filing a lawsuit against cigarette makers.

Chuck Wolfe, president of the Tobacco Pilot Program in Florida, told legislators about a new anti-smoking campaign designed by the state's teen-agers.

One billboard reads "Welcome to Killing Field. Murder 22,895. Tobacco 430,700."

"No one knows exactly what to do to reduce teen smoking," Wolfe said, showing a video of several commercials designed by teens.

Tobacco companies are paying a total of $200 million for anti-smoking education campaigns in Florida.

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