Hubert H. Humphrey III

About the author: Hubert H. Humphrey III is the attorney general of Minnesota.

On November 23, 1998, the tobacco industry agreed to pay fortysix states $206 billion and submit to advertising and marketing restrictions in a large civil settlement—the result of lawsuits on the part of states attempting to recover the costs of treating smokingrelated illnesses. Although this agreement is not a perfect way to address the problems caused by tobacco use, it is somewhat of a victory for the states because they will receive partial compensation for the health care costs of smoking. However, more actions must be taken to reduce youth smoking, including granting the Food and Drug Administration regulatory control over nicotine, increasing cigarette taxes, and developing effective antismoking public health programs.

The tobacco agreement signed on November 23, 1998, by the nation's attorneys...