It's certainly one less venue where children will be exposed to the enticements of smoking. We hope it will set a standard that other companies will follow. |
The majority opinion, to our mind, does not follow the clear congressional intent, ... I think it misreads the language of the statute, being that under the ruling, even if they stop all RICO violations forever more, they can continue to collect revenue from people they have addicted. It makes no sense. Congress did not intend for the courts to stop future violations but benefit from past behavior. |
This is one tax that voters like. Raising cigarette taxes is a win-win-win solution for state legislators and governors as they face challenges in the next few months. The evidence that voters support cigarette tax increases is clear and overwhelming. Last November, 65 percent of Washington state residents voted approval of a 60-cent increase in their tobacco tax. |
What they've said to the court is that the industry's illegal activities are continuing to this day. And that's the most important thing because that's what they have to prove to win this case. |