Improving Health Through the Power of Law
Improving Health Through the Power of Law
» The Verdict Is In presents highlights from the landmark opinion
November 12, 2008
Saudi Arabia sues tobacco importers
Saudi Arabia's health minister has filed a $34 billion lawsuit against tobacco importers, including U.S. companies, for costs of medical treatment for smoking-related illnesses. The lawsuit, seeking one of the world's largest damage claims, is also part of an effort to stem smoking in the kingdom. Read more about Saudi Arabia's tobacco lawsuit.
On October 8 and 9, 2008, ClearWay Minnesota hosted a symposium entitled Reducing Tobacco’s Harm: Innovation and Leadership in a Changing Environment at the IDS Center in Minneapolis, celebrating the organization’s successes in reducing the harms of tobacco use and commemorating ClearWay’s ten year anniversary. The event featured Dr. C. Everett Koop, former U.S. Surgeon General, as the keynote speaker and included a panel discussion and breakout sessions on current topics in tobacco control. Other speakers included Dr. Michael Fiore, University of Wisconsin, Center of Tobacco Research and Intervention; Kay Kahler Vose, KKV Marketing and Consulting; Frank Vitale, Pharmacy Partnership for Tobacco Cessation; Rod Lew, Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organization; and Dr. Michael Cummings, Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Over the course of the two days, attendees at the symposium were able to view exhibits and displays by ClearWay grantees providing information about their research projects and tobacco control activities.
Dr. C. Everett Koop with Doug Blanke, recipient of the 2004 American Lung Association’s C. Everett Koop “Unsung Hero” Award, at the ClearWay symposium
» View more photos of this event on Picasa
The Tobacco Law Center works to improve tobacco control laws and policies at local, national, and international levels. Through research, policy development, and analysis, technical assistance and consulting, the center helps policymakers, nonprofit organizations, advocates, and health professionals address tobacco-related legal issues.