Unfortunately for the tobacco industry we live in an unfair society where the population always wants to point the finger at someone other than themselves. Tobacco has been around as long as anyone can remember, and unfortunate for the tobacco industry, they made it possible for the smoking American to be able to buy fully processed and manufactured cigarettes. During this time, the average smoking American has known that smoking causes health problems, and yet they continued to purchase the manufactured cigarette. Then in 1995, President Clinton ordered the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), to write rules to regulate the sale and marketing of tobacco products in an effort to curb teen smoking. The writing of these rules would then touch off a series of Legal Battles, of which should not have been. I believe that for once the people that live in this country, should start taking responsibility, stop relying on the Government to make all their decisions, and start living with some common sense.
             Do to President Clinton's interference, --the Tabacco Companies were sued by The United States, and a deal was made that the Tobacco Companies would pay 368.5 billion dollars over 25 years-- (3). This in itself should have been the end of the lawsuits, for the money was split between 44 states and was supposed to be used to repay smoking related medical expenses and also to be used to establish programs to help with the addiction. Only six states so far have made a commitment with their funds to use them towards smoke related programs. The others have treated it as winning the lottery, here are some examples: --Louisiana allocated 55 percent of its initial $110 million payment to help balance the state budget-- (5) --Montana used $800,000 of its money to finance a boot camp for juvenile delinquents-- (5). Along with the awarded moneys there was also other stipulations that would govern the sale and advertising of tobacco products. ...