[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 160 (Thursday, November 13, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2376]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        INTRODUCTION OF THE SMOKE-FREE AND HEALTHY CHILDREN ACT

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                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 13, 1997

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, for years, the tobacco industry has 
blatantly targeted children in their ads. Cartoon characters and 
glamorous models have made cigarettes appear to be the key to 
popularity and happiness.
  Of course, these ads didn't tell kids the truth, which is that 
cigarettes kill more Americans than AIDS, alcohol, car accidents, 
murders, suicides, illegal drugs, and fires combined. But these ads 
were effective and every day 3,000 kids under the age of 18 become 
regular smokers. One out of every three of these children will 
eventually die of a tobacco-related illness like cancer or heart 
disease.
  Yet studies show that if you don't start smoking as a teenager, you 
probably never will--and you will lead a longer, healthier and more 
productive life. That's why we need to take action now to stop 
America's young people from smoking.
  Yesterday, I was proud to stand with 19 of my colleagues to introduce 
a bill that will help accomplish that goal--the Smoke-Free and Healthy 
Children Act. Experts agree that the best way to reduce teen smoking is 
to raise the price of cigarettes. Teens with little pocket money. This 
bill will do so by raising the tobacco tax by $1.50 per pack over 3 
years.
  This tax will raise $20 billion per year for the Federal Government. 
But more importantly, it will direct approximately $10 billion to the 
National Institutes of Health--almost doubling the NIH budget and 
allowing researchers to expand studies into cancer and addiction 
prevention and treatment centers.
  The bill will also direct approximately $10 billion per year to 
increase research and investment in early childhood development, 
including initiatives for children aged 0-3 and expanded Head Start and 
child care. We have learned so much recently about the importance of 
the first three years in a child's development; now more than ever we 
know that giving a child a good start in life can help ensure they grow 
up to be healthy and productive members of society.
  We need to take action now to protect our children. We must work 
together to counteract the tremendous ad campaigns of the tobacco 
industry and teach our kids that smoking doesn't make you cool, and it 
won't make you happy. It will only make you sick.
  I urge all of my colleagues to stand up for America's children and 
cosponsor the Smoke-Free and Healthy Children Act.

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