Connecticut Attorney General's Office

News Release

Blumenthal Criticizes Latest Philip Morris Proposal

May 15, 1996

Attorney General Richard Blumenthal today criticized a Philip Morris proposal to adopt measures to keep tobacco products from children -- but only if the federal government abandons its effort to regulate tobacco.

"Philip Morris is offering another slick smokescreen with superficial concessions in return for a federal surrender," Blumenthal said. "We reject this effort to hold our children hostage in an effort to free tobacco from all regulation and responsibility."

Blumenthal earlier this year led a group of 29 state attorneys general in urging the Food and Drug Administration to approve proposed regulations for tobacco. Blumenthal also announced earlier this month that he plans to file a lawsuit against tobacco companies to recoup hundreds of millions of dollars for tobacco-related illnesses.

"I reject categorically the condition that federal regulation be avoided," Blumenthal said. "Nicotine is an addictive drug with dangerous and fatal consequences and should be regulated by the federal government."