| Toward the end of 2006 you may have noticed that | | | | judge cited internal acknowledgment that this indeed |
| ads detailing smoking's adverse health effects started | | | | was the case. In 1999, the Clinton administration |
| appearing in newspapers across the country. This was | | | | accused the tobacco industry of racketeering as part |
| in response to an August of 2006 ruling by a federal | | | | of a coordinated plan to deceive the public about the |
| judge that the tobacco industry had actively engaged | | | | dangers of smoking, and to cover up the knowledge |
| in racketeering practices. The judge stated that the | | | | they had to the contrary. |
| industry had engaged in a decades-long conspiracy to | | | | Under the ruling, the tobacco companies were also |
| hide the dangers of smoking from their users. | | | | ordered to stop using such descriptions as "low tar," |
| Tobacco companies were actually ordered to take | | | | "light," "ultra light," "mild," or "natural," or any other |
| out newspaper ads criticizing their own product. | | | | descriptions that might seem as if these cigarettes |
| The judge ruled that the conspiracy started as early | | | | posed less of a health hazard or in any way were an |
| as 1953, when a group of tobacco company | | | | attempt to downplay the dangers of smoking them. |
| executives met together at the Plaza Hotel in New | | | | While this ruling was a victory for many anti-smoking |
| York City and developed a plan to counter the public's | | | | and anti-tobacco campaigns, many commented on |
| health concerns about smoking. The judge also ruled | | | | how long it took for the government to respond to |
| that even after the 1964 Surgeon General's report | | | | tobacco's use and on how long the actual case itself |
| linked smoking to lung cancer, tobacco companies | | | | took as well. Others felt that perhaps the court was |
| continued to deny and purposely distort many serious | | | | not punitive enough with the industry. "We are pleased |
| dangers of smoking their products. | | | | with the court's finding of liability on the part of the |
| Shockingly it was also ruled that the tobacco industry | | | | defendants, but disappointed that the court did not |
| actively marketed their products to youth. That even | | | | impose all of the remedies sought by the government," |
| though the tobacco industry claims it does not want | | | | the Justice Department said in a written statement. |
| children to smoke, the companies were caught | | | | "Nevertheless, we are hopeful that the remedies that |
| tracking youth behavior and preferences, thereby | | | | were imposed by the court can have a significant, |
| ensuring that "marketing and promotion reaches youth," | | | | positive impact on the health of the American public." |
| even hiding from them the serious dangers of smoking | | | | To many it seemed to be a hollow victory, but it still did |
| while their young bodies were still developing. | | | | some good in highlighting the real dangers of smoking |
| The tobacco industry was also faulted for publicly | | | | that even the tobacco industry itself could not - or was |
| denying that second-hand smoke is dangerous. The | | | | no longer allowed to - deny. |