Editorial: Company is blowing smoke in our faces
Wednesday, April 2, 2003 | 8:48 a.m.
Reeling from a class-action suit in Illinois that recently ended with a $10 billion judgment against it, Philip Morris USA is telling states that it is "uncertain" about making next month's tobacco settlement payment. Five years ago 46 states, including Nevada, settled a lawsuit against Philip Morris and three smaller tobacco companies. The companies were sued on the premise that their tobacco products caused millions of people to suffer health problems, which in turn cost the states billions of dollars as they provided care. Under the settlement, the companies agreed to compensate the states over the next 25 years, with the total amount expected to total $246 billion.
Nevada is using the bulk of its settlement to fund the Millennium Scholarships for high school students bound for college. Settlement money also funds the Senior Rx program, which assists senior citizens in obtaining affordable prescription drugs. Nevada Attorney General Brian Sandoval said he will work with the National Association of Attorneys General to ensure that payments are made on time. We hope their united front compels Philip Morris, which says it may have cash flow problems, to make the payments it agreed to. The settlement was fair. No excuse for missing a payment should be tolerated.
archive
- Most Read
- Discussed
- Most E-mailed
- CityCenter unveils Crystals high-end retail district
- Sarah Palin wasn’t a disaster, but Obama is
- Fontainebleau lenders sue construction companies over liens
- CityCenter’s Mandarin Oriental makes Vegas debut
- Limo drivers’ suit over wages gets class action status
- Kimbo Slice not enjoying cutting weight for first time
- AG says any Station Casinos trustee must be licensed by regulators
- Kruger may soon seek more disciplined shot selection
- As national jobless rate improves, LV sees signs of trouble
- Jim Gibbons vs. Harry Reid: Health care plan ignites dispute
Blogs
Politics: Ralston's Flash
Superintendents want state to immediately seek Race to Top funds
Top Chef: Las Vegas
The great Jennifer debate (1 Comment)
The Kats Report
From Eva Longoria Parker to a cluster of execs, crowd takes a shine to Crystals (2 Comments)
Elsewhere
Harry Reid's recipe for getting health-care deal done (9 Comments)
UNLV in at No. 11 in SI's college hoops power rankings (3 Comments)
Top Chef: Las Vegas
Top Chef Episode 13: A few good chefs
Gray Matter
Fight weekend in Las Vegas and Thanksgiving (3 Comments)
Calendar »
- 5 Sat
- 6 Sun
- 7 Mon
- 8 Tue
- 9 Wed
-
The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale at the Pearl
The Pearl at the Palms | 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
-
Great Santa Run at Town Square
Town Square | 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
-
Willie Nelson at Planet Hollywood Theatre for the Performing Arts
Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino | 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
Cash'd Out at Aliante Station
Aliante Station Casino and Hotel | 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
Brooks & Dunn at the Hilton
Las Vegas Hilton
-
Ron White performs at the Mirage
Terry Fator Theatre
The Sun
Locally owned and independent for more than 50 years.
Technorati











