CMA: SAYS GLOBAL TOBACCO AGREEMENT WON’T CURB SMOKING

      The recent global tobacco agreement between the tobacco
 industry and attorneys general who sued the industry to recoup
 the costs of treating smoking-related illnesses will neither
 reduce the rate of teen smoking nor keep new smokers from
 lighting up, according to a new study by the California Medical
 Association.  "CMA has performed an analysis which strongly
 indicates that the proposed tobacco settlement should not be
 supported," said CMA President Dr. Rolland Lowe.  He added, "Its
 inability to either increase cigarette prices or decrease
 cigarette consumption in any significant way shows that the
 proposed settlement, if enacted, is doomed to fall far short of
 the goals we all share."  Lowe also expressed concern that the
 settlement does not give the Food and Drug Administration
 sufficient authority to regulate nicotine.
      BY THE NUMBERS
      According to the CMA, the agreement would lower the rate of
 teen smoking by more than 15%; the settlement calls for a 60%
 reduction in the number of teens who smoke.  In addition, the
 study projects that the price of cigarettes will increase by 
 eight percent to 10% -- or less that 20 cents per pack -- in the
 first year, reaching a maximum of 15% to 17% -- or less than 38
 cents -- within 10 years.  According to the CMA, an increase of
 only 20-40 cents per pack "will not produce significant results." 
 Lowe said, "We conclude that the tentative agreement must be
 dramatically amended to protect the public health of this and
 future generations" (CMA release, 7/14).