Louisiana set to receive smoking cessation funds

Jun 28, 2011

Several tobacco companies must now move forward with funding a $278 million smoking cessation program in Louisiana. This comes after the United States Supreme Court refused their request to vacate an order which was handed down in 2004 after a 1996 filing that claimed tobacco companies misled smokers about the addictive qualities of nicotine. After a three year trial, plaintiffs had to endure a seven-year appeals process which led all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Programs that promote smoking cessation medication and telephone support lines are among two of the programs that will be covered under $241.5 million award. The remainder of the funds will cover the legal fees surrounding the case.

Attorneys for the various tobacco companies in the case, including Philip Morris USA Inc., argued that their clients’ due process rights had been violated because the lead plaintiffs were former smokers.

Smoking cessation programs are critical efforts to boosting health throughout the South. In 2009, the Center challenged Southern states to boost wellness by working to increase life expectancy to levels on par with Canada.

U.S. Supreme Court says tobacco companies must pay into Louisiana stop-smoking program

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