[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 45 (Wednesday, April 22, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H2125]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         LET US ADDRESS THE QUESTION OF TEEN SMOKING IN AMERICA

  (Mr. WYNN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WYNN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak out about tobacco. It is 
time for the Congress to do the right thing. Unfortunately, the 
messages coming from the Speaker's Office are mixed. One day, we ought 
to do something; the next day, it is too big a burden. It is not too 
big a burden. We have to protect our young people.
  Each day, approximately 6,000 young people try a cigarette. Each day, 
300 become long-term smokers. The average teen smoker starts at age 13. 
Among adults who smoke daily, 82 percent started as teenagers. We can 
address this problem if we put aside the rhetoric and get down to 
business.
  We are very serious about teen drinking, and we prohibit it. We need 
to be equally vigilant about teen smoking. We have the means; we have 
the wherewithal. The only question that remains is whether the 
Republican leadership has the will.
  Please, let us address the question of teen smoking in America.

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