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From a New York Times Analysis
NEW PROPOSAL $206 billion over 25 years. Funds would go to 46 states that have filed smoking-related lawsuits or have yet to do so. The plan does not need Congressional approval, but most states must join in. The cost of cigarettes likely to increase by 35 cents over five years. McCAIN SENATE BILL $516 billion over 25 years. The money would go into a Govern-ment trust fund. The legislation did not specify how the money would be spent. Required Congressional approval. The cost of cigarettes would increase by $1.10 over five years. JUNE 1997 SETTLEMENT $368.5 billion over 25 years to be divided among the 40 states that sued the industry, public health groups and a fund to pay for damage claims and treatment costs owed to smokers who are ill. Required Congressional approval. The cost of cigarettes would increase by 62 cents a pack over the life of the settlement. LIABILITY NEW PROPOSAL Would settle state lawsuits but not affect other actions against cigarette makers. McCAIN SENATE BILL Provides no immunity from lawsuits, but damages would be limited to $6.5 billion a year. JUNE 1997 SETTLEMENT Bans payment of punitive damages and future class-action lawsuits. Individual lawsuits would be allowed, but damages would be limited to $5 billion a year. YOUTH SMOKING NEW PROPOSAL Companies legally agree not to market to youths, but would not pay fines if underage smoking does not decline. McCAIN SENATE BILL Penalties of up to $3.5 billion a year if goals to reduce youth smoking are not met. JUNE 1997 SETTLEMENT Penalties of up to $2 billion a year if goals to reduce youth smoking are not met. ADVERTISING NEW PROPOSAL Restrictions on advertising and marketing to youths. McCAIN SENATE BILL Restrictions on advertising and marketing to youths. JUNE 1997 SETTLEMENT Restrictions on advertising and marketing to youths. GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS NEW PROPOSAL Does not address the Food and Drug Administration's regulatory authority over tobacco. McCAIN SENATE BILL The Food and Drug Admin-istration would be given broad latitude to regulate tobacco. JUNE 1997 SETTLEMENT The Food and Drug Administration would be given broad latitude to regulate tobacco. (pg. A9) "THE NEW SETTLEMENT PLAN" -- Producers' cost: $206 billion. -- Could raise the price of a pack of cigarettes by 35 cents. -- Provides no protection from private lawsuits. -- No penalties if youth smoking is not reduced. CONGRESSIONAL BILL -- Producers' cost: $516 billion. -- Would raise the price of a pack of cigarettes by $1.10. -- Provided no protection from private lawsuits. -- As much as $6.5 billion in annual penalties if youth smoking was not reduced. 1997 SETTLEMENT PLAN -- Producers' cost: $368.5 billion. -- Would raise the price of a pack of cigarettes by 62 cents. -- Provided protection from private lawsuits. -- As much as $2 billion in annual penalties if youth smoking was not reduced.click here to return to ASH's Home Web Page: http://ash.org
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