The MSA and the McCain Tobacco Bill: Smoke without a Fire?

This article critically examines the mandates of the McCain Tobacco Bill and the Master Settlement Agreement toward addressing the youth smoking crisis in the United States. An overview of teenage smoking trends is presented, followed by the legislative history of the McCain Tobacco Bill and the Master Settlement Agreement. Reactions to this legislation are discussed, as well as predicted consequences. A review of the literature on youth smoking prevention, rooted in risk taking and social control theory, is presented. Empirical and theoretical support is provided for suggesting alternative solutions. The need for a comprehensive, coordinated approach involving law enforcement, the media, the family, and the educational system is described.