We are in a health crisis due to tobacco. The tobacco industry must be held accountable for the damage they've consciously caused and will continue to cause. The real issue here is how to preserve the health and lives of our citizens.

Americans should not ignore the issues that can give us the control we need to protect our kids:

• Nicotine, the drug in tobacco, is addictive and must be be fully regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration.
• Big Tobacco can no longer be allowed to target our kids as new customers.
• We need to fund educational campaigns that tell the truth about tobacco addiction -- with budgets that can effectively correct the lies Big Tobacco has planted over the last several decades.
• Big Tobacco and its allies push for federal laws that prevent state and local governments from protecting their citizens with tougher ordinances. This two-faced tactic must be stopped.
• We must protect the rights of present and future victims of tobacco-related disease to seek their own day in court.

All Americans should carefully scrutinize the details of any action or negotiation by Big Tobacco.

Don't let the tobacco industry walk away the winner. FDA authority over nicotine is mandatory. Congress should not get involved.

George Dessart
Chairman, National Board of Directors
The American Cancer Society