Attorney General's News Release

April 7, 1999

Nixon, anti-smoking groups and health leaders launch anti-tobacco billboard campaign

Kansas City, MO — Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon joined health leaders and anti-smoking activists in Kansas City today for the unveiling of the state's first tobacco replacement billboards paid for by the tobacco companies. The billboards, containing messages to discourage teen smoking and to warn of the hazards of smoking, are a requirement of the state's historic $6.7 billion settlement proposal.

"This is a historic day for the state and for many in this community who have fought long and hard to see an end to deceitful tobacco ads targeting our young people," Nixon said. "Today the Marlboro man rides into the sunset and we begin our campaign of truth. The bipartisan efforts of Attorneys General in every state and the support of health activists in Missouri and throughout the country has made this new day possible."

Joining Nixon at the tobacco replacement billboard unveiling was Dr. Rex Archer, director of the Kansas City Health Department. He stressed the importance of counter-advertising in keeping youth from using tobacco products. He also noted the statewide billboard truth campaign is being launched during National Public Health Week, April 5-11, and on World Health Day, April 7.

"The tobacco industry has been guilty of purposely misleading the public for years about the harmful effects of nicotine," Dr. Archer said. "The industry spends billions of dollars annually promoting and advertising its addictive products, so we must remain vigilant by pursuing our own health-focused counter-advertising."

The new billboard at 25th Street and Southwest Boulevard shows a picture of a baby and reads: "Secondhand smoke puts 10,000 babies in the hospital each year. Figure it out." The message, and others, will appear on billboards throughout the area and were selected by several groups including Project ASSIST American Stop Smoking Intervention Study a group sponsored by the Missouri Department of Health and the Kansas City Health Department.

The Southwest Boulevard billboard is one of 170 billboards in the state to receive replacement billboards as required by the proposed settlement agreement.

Representatives of the local American Lung Association (ALA), the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the American Heart Association (AHA) were also present at the press conferences.

"We believe this to be the next step in our battle with Big Tobacco and not our last step," said Kim Bellemere, director of Health and Community Education for the American Lung Association of Western Missouri. "Through our work in the schools and community, we see the impact tobacco advertising has on youth and know the temptation it triggers. We're glad to see the blight removed from the roadways, and we will work for future initiatives to help children resist tobacco use."

The ACS also voiced its strong support for events like today's unveiling of messages against smoking.

"The American Cancer Society realizes more than 3,000 children become regular smokers every day," said Janine Biga, ACS, Tobacco Control/School Health Specialist. "Replacing these billboards is an excellent example of something positive that has come out of the settlement to stop this deadly addiction. We can only hope that the Missouri legislature will devote the settlement funds towards efforts like this one."

Nixon announced that all tobacco billboards throughout the state will be removed by April 23.

Missouri received approval of the $6.7 billion settlement agreement from the St. Louis City Circuit Court March 5. More than 40 intervention efforts were rejected by the St. Louis judge; Nixon noted, however, that the financial recovery from the settlement could be further delayed if the intervenors file an appeal. More than $50 million from the settlement is currently in escrow pending final approval. The state could begin receiving annual payments beginning next year that will total $6.7 billion over the next 25 years.

Numerous youth groups were also in attendance to witness the shift in billboard advertising directed at them. Nixon praised these youth in their exemplary efforts to educate others on the negative affects of tobacco use, and to curb cigarette advertising targeting youth, especially African Americans and Hispanics. Nixon presented these youth groups with certificates of appreciation for their local efforts.

The youth groups included the ASSIST Operation Storefront program in Lee's Summit, the ALA Teens Against Tobacco Use (TATU) in Kansas City, Mo., the Unique Operation Storefront group in Kansas City, Mo., the NCADD Vision 2000 Group from the Kansas City metro area, the Liberty Alliance for Youth, Inc. (LAFYI), and the ACS Step Up Club at Blue Valley North High School in Overland Park. President and founder of the ACS Step Up Club Jonathan Ng, a high school senior spoke about what this unveiling means to area youth.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818