Improving Health Through the Power of Law
Improving Health Through the Power of Law
» The Verdict Is In presents highlights from the landmark opinion
August 14, 2008
American Lung Association releases mid-term report on smoke-free legislation
This week, the American Lung Association released the 2008 State Legislated Actions on Tobacco Issues (SLATI) Mid-Term Report, which summarizes legislative activity in 2008 on key state tobacco control policies, including smoke-free workplace laws, tobacco taxes and funding for state tobacco control programs. Read the SLATI report.
On October 23, 2007, the Tobacco Control Legal Consortium held an interactive public health law symposium entitled “Going Too Far? Exploring the Limits of Smoking Regulation” at William Mitchell College of Law, in St. Paul, Minnesota. The Tobacco Control Legal Consortium symposium proceedings were published in William Mitchell Law Review Vol. 34:4 (2008).
» Read the symposium proceedings.
The Tobacco Law Center has an immediate opening for a Health Policy Educator to serve as an in-house public health policy researcher, educator and resource person.
» Find out more about this position.
The Tobacco Control Legal Consortium has filed an amicus brief in a significant U.S. Supreme Court case that could determine if consumers can sue tobacco companies under state law for false advertising of “light” cigarettes.
» Read more about this amicus brief.
On Thursday, May 8, the Tobacco Law Center, in conjunction with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, hosted a reception at the Minneapolis Marriott Southwest in Minnetonka to commemorate the ten year anniversary of the historic Minnesota Tobacco Settlement. Former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop has called the settlement “one of the most significant public health achievements of the second half of the 20th century.” The reception capped off Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Prevention Minnesota Conference, a conference focusing on Blue Cross’ three health target areas: tobacco control, healthy eating and physical activity.
Doug D. Blanke, Director of the Tobacco Law Center, introduced the key participants in the original litigation who were attending the event: Andrew P. Czajkowski, former chief executive officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota; Michael V. Ciresi, partner with Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi; Hubert H. “Skip” Humphrey III, former attorney general for the state of Minnesota; and Kenneth J. Fitzpatrick, presiding Ramsey County judge for the trial. The participants shared a few memories of the trial and spoke briefly on the settlement’s legacy, and each litigant received a plaque memorializing his involvement in the lawsuit.
» View photos of the reception on Flickr
Ten years ago, Minnesota reached an historic settlement with the tobacco industry. The landmark agreement opened the tobacco industry’s secret document vaults, exposing fifty years of deception. It created the first ban on cigarette marketing aimed at children. It brought down tobacco billboards and imposed the first bans on tobacco-branded merchandise and secret payments for using cigarettes in movies. It funded support for Minnesota smokers who want to quit. And it required the tobacco industry to pay the state of Minnesota $6.1 billion.
The Tobacco Law Center at William Mitchell College of Law played an instrumental role as a legal resource during the drafting and debate of Minnesota’s new statewide smoke-free law. The Freedom to Breathe legislation eliminates smoking in all indoor public places and indoor places of employment, including bars and restaurants.
» William Mitchell College of Law profiles the Tobacco Law Center
» Freedom to Breathe PDF, 45 Kb
A summary of the Freedom to Breathe Provisions in the Minnesota Clean Indoor Air Act
A fact sheet from the Minnesota Department of Health
The Tobacco Law Center works to improve tobacco control laws and policies at local, national, and international levels. Through research, policy development, and analysis, technical assistance and consulting, the center helps policymakers, nonprofit organizations, advocates, and health professionals address tobacco-related legal issues.