1953
Dr. Ernst L. Wynders finds that putting cigarette tar on the backs of mice causes tumors.
January 1964
Dr. Luther L. Terry, U.S. Surgeon General issues the first warning on the link between smoking and lung cancer.
1965
Congress requires warning labels on cigarettes.
1967
The Federal Trade Commission rules that the Fairness Doctrine applies to cigarette ads, requiring broadcasters that air such ads to donate time to smoking prevention messages.
1969
The National Association of Broadcasters endorses a phase-out of cigarette ads.
1970
Congress passes a law banning cigarette ads on television and radio and requires a stronger warning on cigarette packages.
1973
The Civil Aeronautics Board requires non-smoking sections on all commercial airliners and Arizona becomes the first state to restrict smoking in public places.
1977
The American Cancer Society sponsors the first “Great American Smokeout.”
1981
A Surgeon-General’s report concludes no level of cigarette consumption is safe.
1982
Congress doubles the excise tax on cigarettes to 16 cents per pack.
1985
Lung cancer became the #1 killer of women.
1988
A Surgeon-General’s report concludes nicotine is addictive. Congress bans smoking on domestic flights of two hours or less.
1990
Smoking is banned on all domestic flights of six hours or less.
1991
The federal cigarette tax is increased to 20 cents. The FDA approves use of a nicotine patch to help smokers quit.
1992
Philip Morris alone paid $4.5 billion in taxes. This makes it the largest tax payer in the U.S.
1994
Mississippi becomes the first state to sue the tobacco industry to recover Medicaid costs to treat tobacco-related illnesses.
1995
The Journal of the American Medical Association publishes articles claiming that tobacco companies knew about the harmful effects of smoking and that nicotine is addictive.
1997
The nation’s largest tobacco companies settle a $349 million class action suit over second-hand smoke with airline flight attendants. A federal judge rules that the government can regulate tobacco as a drug.
1998
Forty-six states approve a $206 billion settlement with cigarette makers.
1999
The Justice Department sues the tobacco industry to recover costs of treating sick smokers and accuses cigarette makers of deceit.
March 2000
In a 5-4 vote, the U.S. Supreme Court rules that the FDA cannot regulate tobacco as a drug without Congressional action.
April 2000
A Florida jury rules that cigarettes caused the cancer of two smokers who sued Big Tobacco.
July 2000
The same Florida jury orders the tobacco industry to pay more than $145 billion in punitive damages to sick Florida smokers, a record-shattering verdict that the cigarette companies had claimed would amount to a “death warrant.”
May 21, 2003
A Florida appeals court tosses out 2000’s record-setting $145 billion verdict against the nation’s five biggest cigarette makers, saying it should not have been a class-action suit.
Oct. 6, 2003
The U.S. Supreme Court throws out an $80 million verdict against Philip Morris, saying lower courts should review the 1999 verdict to ensure it is not unconstitutionally excessive.
Sept. 21, 2004
The government’s $280 billion civil racketeering suit against the tobacco industry goes to trial.
Feb. 4, 2005
In a huge victory for Big Tobacco, a U.S. appeals court rules that the Justice Department can’t seek the $280 billion it alleges the industry earned through misleading the public.
July 6, 2006
The Florida Supreme Court rejects $145 billion punitive damages award against tobacco companies for injuring smokers, saying it was excessive.
Aug. 18, 2006
U.S. District Judge Gladys Kessler ruled that that the industry conspired for decades to deceive the public about the dangers of smoking and now must pay to help smokers kick the habit.
Sept. 25, 2006
A federal judge granted class action status to millions of “light cigarette” smokers in a potential $200 billion lawsuit.
Feb. 20, 2007
The Supreme Court threw out a $79.5 million punitive damages award to a smoker’s widow. The 5-4 ruling was a victory for Philip Morris USA.
Aug. 1, 2007
A Senate committee embraced legislation that would for the first time allow federal regulation of cigarettes.
2007
United Kingdom smoking ban goes into effect (Health Act 2006).
2007
National Cancer Institute (NCI) policy of convening meetings only in smoke-free jurisdictions goes into effect.
2008
France smoking ban goes into effect. Ban will then include hotels, restaurants, places where liquor is served, casinos, etc.
2009
Taiwan smoking ban goes into effect.
