The People vs. Big Tobacco - Major Development!

I'm sure you are aware that in August
 U.S. District Court Judge
 Gladys Kessler ruled that 
the major cigarette companies 
were racketeers who've deceived 
the American people for nearly 50 years
 about the health risks of their products
 and their marketing to kids.
 Judge Kessler found that the companies'
 wrongdoing has resulted in "a staggering 
number of deaths per year, an 
immeasurable amount of human 
suffering and economic loss, and 
a profound burden on our national 
health care system." 
But, unfortunately for the 
American people, Judge Kessler's
 hands were tied when it came to 
holding the industry responsible for
 their years of wrongdoing. 
An earlier court decision 
restricted the remedies she could 
order. As a result, we believe Judge Kessler was
limited to remedies that amounted 
to no more than a slap on the wrist. 
Now, to guarantee Big Tobacco is held 
responsible for their actions
 and to protect the American
 people from an industry found to 
be lying racketeers, the Tobacco-Free 
Kids Action Fund has partnered with five public 
health groups to appeal the remedies 
portion of Judge Kessler's
 ruling. By appealing the remedies, 
we'll have the opportunity to fight
 for penalties that could dramatically
 reform the industry. We will fight 
for remedies that will reduce smoking 
rates, protect our kids from tobacco 
addiction and help current smokers quit. 
The appeals process is no easy task. 
The big tobacco companies have hundreds 
of lawyers. Our six public
 health groups have two lawyers. But we are
 ready for this challenge. In the end, we
 believe the rewards for public health will 
be astounding and changes forced on the industry 
will protect thousands of Americans from a lifetime 
of tobacco addiction and disease.