When the Master Settlement Agreement was signed several years ago, a key provision called for an independent program - funded by, but not controlled by, the tobacco companies - to fight smoking among young people.

The intent of this provision of the MSA was to create a new program that would reverse the trend at that time of more and more youth using tobacco.

In the years since the MSA was signed, the American Legacy Foundation's truth® campaign has shown great promise as an innovative media program aimed at keeping young people from smoking.

Of course, the tobacco companies will point out that they have had their own anti-smoking messages aimed at young people - just as the fox will point out that the chicken coop is in good hands under his watch. The reality is that the only effective message coming from tobacco companies are those that are used to sell cigarettes. Thanks to the ongoing, aggressive marketing by the tobacco companies, about a quarter of all high school students become smokers before they leave school. There are over 700,000 new underage smokers every year.

The point is, the truth® campaign is working - this is no time to pull the plug on an effective program or entrust our children's future to the tobacco companies.

At the time of the signing of the MSA, and frequently since then, the tobacco industry claimed to be concerned about the number of young people who smoke and committed to doing something about this problem.

Had the tobacco companies been sincere in their professed concern about young people, they would have abided by the spirit of the MSA instead of increasing their aggressive marketing targeted at kids. But, given the choice between selling more cigarettes or taking genuine steps to protect children, the tobacco companies opted to fatten their wallets.

That's why we join the others here today in hoping that the original intent of the MSA can be honored State attorneys general should amend the MSA so that the truth® campaign can live on. If that were to happen, it would be a giant step forward for the health of our children.

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