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Non-Tech : Philip Morris - A Stock For Wealth Or Poverty (MO)
MO 58.69+0.6%Nov 26 3:59 PM EST

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To: Ralph Bergmann who wrote (4947)10/28/1999 6:16:00 PM
From: James R. Barrett  Read Replies (2) of 6439
 
The biggest threat to the tobacco companies right now is the pending Federal suit, not the Florida suit.

The justice dept. wants the tobacco companies to pick up the $20 billion per year tab for medicaid costs for "sick" smokers. I think this suit is for present and future costs, not previous costs. Which means the $20 billion/year extortion can go on forever. $20 billion X 25 years = $500 billion.

There is no way the companies could raise prices that much to cover these charges.

One thing that I don't think will happen is FDA control of cigarettes. If the FDA determines that cigarettes should be classified as a drug and can only be purchased by prescription is a catch 22 situation. Prescription drugs can't be TAXED. This would be a big break for smokers but not for state and federal tax coffers.
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