National
 
On February 4, 2005 the US Court of Appeals ruled in the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) racketeering suit against the tobacco companies that, in accordance with the 1970 Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), tobacco companies would not have to turn over the $280 billion dollars they have earned in profits since 1971. The DOJ claims these profits were the result of illegal marketing and covering up the dangers of tobacco. The Judges declared, however, that the purpose of the RICO Act is to prevent future racketeering violations and not to recover illegal profits. On February 16, 2005 the Department of Justice declared they will appeal the US Court of Appeals decision to not have tobacco companies hand over profits to the government. In the second appeal the DOJ intends to offer other ways for the tobacco companies to resolve the claim. They may ask for funding for large-scale smoking cessation and youth smoking prevention programs, and a public education campaign about the dangers of smoking. The following links offer more information on the lawsuit:
http://tobaccofreekids.org/Script/DisplayPressRelease.php3?Display=818
 
http://www.tobacco.org/articles/lawsuit/doj

NASCAR sponsorship took a new turn when GlaxoSmithKline announced they would be an associate sponsor with the Target Chip Ganassi team. Casey Maers’ car will be painted to feature GSK’s new product, Nicorette Fresh Mint gum. The sponsorship is to last through the 2005 NASCAR season starting on March 20, 2005 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. For more information see:
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgibin/stories.pl?ACCT=NWCNTOB.story&STORY
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