kimberly hellcutt has the story. >> it was 1969 that the surgeon general released his report. i.t. concluded that smoking caused illness and death. it was not well received by the big tobacco companies, tobacco was one of the most profitable products in the world, promote the safety and enjoyment of cigarettes. the surgeon general's report on smoking and health led the u.s. congress to require warning labels on tobacco products and eventually it imposed tighter restrictions on cigarette advertising. the legislation was one of the most successful campaigns in the united states. smoking rates are down 59%. back in 196442% of u.s. adults were smoking. compared to just 18% in 12. government tobacco control efforts which have included taxes on cigarettes and bans on smoking in public places have helped to save as many as 8 million lives. >> in the past half-century, nothing else has come close to this contribution to the health of americans. credit nothing. >> but antismoking advocates argue there's still much more work to be done. they say the number of americans smoking may have dropp

kimberly hellcutt loobs at what happened since that stunning rel vacation. >> it was 1964 when luther terry released his report. it said that smoking causes disease and death. tobacco was one of the most profitable industries in the world, hiring celebrities and even doctors to promote the safety of cigarettes. the surgeon general's report on smoking and health led the u.s. congress to explore warning labels on tobacco products. the legislation was part of the most successful public health campaigns in the united states. smoking rates are now down 59%. back in 1964, 42% of u.s. adults were smoking. compared to just 18% in 2012. in government tobacco control efforts which have included taxes on cigarettes and bans on smoking in public spaces have hepped to save as -- helped to save as many as 8 million lives. >> in the past half century nothing else has come close to this contribution to the health of americans. nothing. >> but antismoking advocates argue there's still much more work to be done. they say the number of americans smoking may have dropped over the decades but globally tha

it's a trend he says will will only be reversed by even stricter restrictions, kimberly hellcutt, al jazeera, washington. >> coming couple the win are is the colorful and unlikely players who decide who get golden globe awards. interwelcome back to al jazeera america. here are the top stories. a state of emergency in west virginia. about 300,000 people are without water after a chemical spill along the elk river in charleston. the white house issued a federal disaster declaration. >>> the target credit issues are larger. the data breach could effect up to 110,000 shoppers. names, addresses, e-mail addresses and phone numbers. >>> congress is stepping pressure to extend unemployment insurance. >>> no secret that most members of congress make more money than the average american. turns out for the first time ever most law makessers are actually millionaires. that's according to the report of the center for responsible politics. morgan radford is with us. my morgan. >> hi john. financial disclosures from last year showed that at least 268 of them are worth $1 million or more on average.