Cancer Society Sets Tobacco Control Law as Top Priority

The American Cancer Society’s board unanimously passed a resolution in Los Angeles on Tuesday making passage of a tough, comprehensive tobacco control law its No. 1 priority for 1998, society officials said.

The organization plans an extensive media, lobbying and grass roots effort as part of a $1-million campaign, according to Jennie R. Cook of Larkspur, the society’s new chairwoman.

“We have had a terrific funding year, so we feel very comfortable in putting the money aside” for the campaign, said Cook, who also chairs Gov. Pete Wilson’s commission on tobacco education research.

The cancer society also has hired a high-powered Washington law firm, Hogan & Hartson, to draft legislative language relating to the authority of the FDA over tobacco products “that can be used by our congressional allies at the appropriate time,” according to a copy of the cancer society’s action plan.

Earlier this year, the society utilized the services of Hogan & Hartson partner Stephan E. Lawton to analyze the FDA provisions in the deal. Lawton is the former chief counsel to a congressional committee that will have a key role in enacting any legislation flowing out of the proposed tobacco settlement.

To further shore up its efforts, the cancer society has assembled a team of lobbyists who will assist on a pro bono basis, said Linda Crawford, the group’s senior vice president for federal and state governmental relations.

In recent weeks, several bills related to the settlement have been introduced in Congress and several more are expected later this year or early next year after Congress reconvenes.

Society officials said that their efforts were motivated by the belief that good tobacco control legislation offered the best possibility of having a major impact on cancer in the U.S.