AG has backed anti-smoking effort

To the editor:

I am glad the editorial writers at the Southeast Missourian agree with me that Missouri has done a shameful job in appropriating the more than $1 billion paid to the state through the national tobacco settlement obtained by me and 45 other attorneys general.

The editorial, however, incorrectly implies that I have been silent on this issue until recently. In fact, since the time I filed Missouri's lawsuit in May 1997 I have been a vocal advocate that monies obtained from the tobacco companies should be used to help anti-smoking efforts.

I have urged four governors and the General Assembly to dedicate significant money to those efforts, because we have seen these programs succeed in other states.

JAY NIXON, Attorney General, Jefferson City, Mo.