Action on Smoking & Health
Established "as the legal-action arm of the anti-smoking community" and to oppose a "constitutional or other legal right to smoke, even in one's own dwelling."
Filed a 1994 legal complaint asking FDA to regulate as a "drug" the new, smokeless cigarette developed by R.J. Reynolds Tobacco.
Claims responsibility for many anti-smoking laws.
Supports smoke-free environments in hotels and restaurants and on airlines.
Fights for anti-smoking legislation, promotes use of lawsuits to restrict smokers' rights, and seeks restrictions on all forms of cigarette advertisement.
Opposed the $206 billion settlement between four tobacco companies and 46 states because it was negotiated in secret and makes unnecessary concessions to the tobacco companies. Sued unsuccessfully to stop implementation of the deal.
Citing EPA studies, it argues that homes of smokers are inhospitable for rearing children. Whether a legal guardian smokes "must be considered . . . when viewing the sustainability of a household environment in which a child is to be placed." Started the “Clear the Air Campaign” in 1997 to encourage all homes to become smoke free.
Calls on U.S. Food and Drug Administration to assert jurisdiction over nicotine in tobacco products and "correct[s] the legal mistake it made 50 years ago when it exempted tobacco from regulation because little evidence existed on the addictive properties of nicotine."
Opposed Bush Administration nominations of Sen. John Ashcroft to be Attorney General and Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson to be Secretary of Health and Human Services..
Sued to mandate smoke-free domestic airline flights and restrictions on cigarette advertising in stadiums and ballparks.
Publishes bi-monthly ASH Smoking and Health Review, as well as monthly newsletter.
Credits its efforts as instrumental in Maryland's 1993 decision to ban workplace smoking.
Charges that tobacco manufacturers Philip Morris, British American Tobacco, and Japan Tobacco International started a global youth anti-smoking campaign to increase smoking's appeal to youth: "Stressing that smoking is an adult activity will make it more attractive to young people."
Wants British government to investigate the cigarette black market: suspects the tobacco industry may be involved in smuggling operations.
Favors setting an age limit at which a child can watch a movie in which one or more main characters smoke.
Litigated unsuccessfully to force the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to regulate smoking in the workplace and set indoor air quality standards.
1999 F. M. Kirby Foundation $80,000
1998 F. M. Kirby Foundation $75,000
1997 F. M. Kirby Foundation $75,000
1996 F. M. Kirby Foundation $75,000
1995 F. M. Kirby Foundation $40,000