[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 116 (Tuesday, July 18, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H7155]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


          ADMINISTRATION ATTEMPTS TO DESTROY TOBACCO INDUSTRY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from North Carolina [Mr. Jones] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, it is clear that Bill Clinton and Dr. Kessler 
at the FDA did not get the message of the November 8th elections.
  The American people do not want more regulations and more government 
in their lives. They want far less intrusion and far less regulation.
  This latest attempt by the administration to destroy the tobacco 
industry, through a regulatory power grab, is unprecedented and 
unwarranted.
  It is ironic to me, that the Clinton administration wants to classify 
nicotine as a drug. I think the administration should spend their time 
and money fighting the illegal drug trade, that is destroying this 
country instead of being so concerned about a legal product which has 
been used since the founding of this country.
  The Federal Government has consistently used tobacco as their 
whipping boy, first trying to finance their big government health care 
plan on the backs of tobacco and now by trying to regulate them to 
death.
  Let me make it clear, no tobacco farmer or tobacco company is 
encouraging young people to smoke. As a matter of fact the tobacco 
industry has established programs to encourage young people not to 
smoke. In many States, it is illegal to sell cigarettes to minors.
  The Clinton administration view is that they know what is best for 
the American people. They believe that Government has an obligation to 
be our big brother.
  This is big brother at its worst. What next, prohibition of alcohol, 
caffeine, chocolate?
  Ladies and gentlemen, adults over 18 make responsible decisions on 
caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol every day.
  The Government has no business in those decisions and the FDA and 
Commissioner have no authority to classify nicotine as a drug.
  The courts have consistently stated that the FDA has no authority to 
regulate cigarettes and it is time that Kessler end this witch hunt on 
the tobacco industry and the tobacco farmer.
  If Bill Clinton and Dr. Kessler had ever held a real job, they would 
understand the struggle that family farmers face.
  They would understand that the tobacco farmer has to fight the 
elements and that most farmers work within a small financial margin.
  Congress has already levied numerous taxes on tobacco making the 
farmers' life even more difficult and his ability to make a profit even 
slimmer.
  Again, I call on the administration to stop the witch hunt of the 
tobacco industry and tobacco farmers and get on with the business of 
downsizing Government, reducing the debt, and implementing the mandate 
of the November 8th elections.

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