[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 13 (Thursday, February 10, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 10, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
PROHIBITION OF CIGARETTE SALES TO MINORS IN FEDERAL BUILDINGS AND LANDS 
                                  ACT

                                 ______


                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 10, 1994

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, today, I am introducing a bill that will 
help protect our young people from nicotine addiction. This 
legislation, the Prohibition of Cigarette Sales to Minors in Federal 
Buildings and Lands Act, would ban cigarette vending machines in all 
Federal buildings and lands.
  This bill, which is companion legislation to S. 673, introduced by 
Senator Bingaman, has been endorsed by the American Cancer Society, the 
American Heart Association, and the American Lung Association. This 
legislation will strike where the majority of people begin smoking--in 
their adolescent years.
  Specifically, this legislation directs the Administrator of the 
General Services Administration and the head of each Federal agency to 
institute regulations that would prohibit the sale of tobacco products 
in vending machines located in or around any Federal building. In 
addition, this bill would prohibit the distribution of free samples of 
tobacco products in or around Federal buildings and lands.
  Although it is now illegal in all States to sell cigarettes to 
minors, research shows that vending macines offer easy access for 
children to obtain this deadly product. While cigarette manufacturers 
use cartoon characters and beautiful people to make smoking appear 
attractive, wholesome, and sexy, Congress has a responsibility to 
prevent minors from obtaining cigarettes in Federal buildings. We have 
the responsibility to make it more difficult for minors to obtain 
products that if used as directed will kill them. Over 90 percent of 
smokers start smoking in adolescence or childhood, and they continue to 
smoke throughout their adult lives. Each day, more than 3,000 children 
and adolescents start smoking and collectively smoke nearly 1 billion 
packs of cigarettes per year. In addition, reliable studies indicate 
that tobacco use is a gateway to other, more harmful drugs.
  Smoking costs the United States $65 billion in health care costs and 
lost productivity every year. More importantly, our children are being 
targeted as the next revenue source for tobacco manufacturers. These 
companies spend over $4 billion a year on advertising and promotion. 
They must concentrate on young people because older smokers are falling 
victim to everything from lung cancer to heart disease. It is time to 
stop the role of vending machines in this distribution of death, and my 
bill is a good, first step in that direction. I urge your support for 
this important legislation.

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