See New YouTube Video on the $250 Billion Backroom Deal

Washington, D.C., November 20, 2008—The notorious tobacco Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) was signed 10 years ago this month by 46 state attorneys general and major tobacco companies. The deal imposed a $250 billion hidden tax on smokers and set up a cartel between the states and Big Tobacco, all without any elected official openly taking responsibility.

A new video by the Competitive Enterprise Institute re-imagines the backroom deal.

CEI is challenging the tobacco…

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D.C. Circuit Denies Rehearing, But 5-to-4 Split Signals Importance of Issue

Washington, D.C., November 19, 2008—On a 5 to 4 split, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit this week declined to review a constitutional challenge to the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. The Competitive Enterprise Institute, together with the law firm of Jones Day, plans to appeal the case to the U.S. Supreme Court.

“While the court’s decision is, of course, disappointing, the 5-4 split among the judges demonstrates…

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In his article for the Winter 2008 issue of Cigar Magazine, CEI General Council Sam Kazman discusses the ramifications of the antitobacco movement’s Master Settlement Agreement of a decade ago.

“[It] effectively imposed a massive nationwide cigarette tax increase, even though no elected legislator ever voted for it.”

While acknowledging the health risks of smoking, Mr. Kazman explains how tobacco taxes and regulation have become equally addictive.

Read the full article from Cigar Magazine (PDF).

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