[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]




        AMERICA DESERVES A COMPREHENSIVE TOBACCO REFORM BILL NOW

  (Mr. ROTHMAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, for the past 50 years the tobacco industry 
has waged a war of deception against the American people. They have 
tried to hide the terrible toll that cigarettes take on our children, 
our families, and on our society. So it should be no surprise that the 
tobacco industry is trying to deceive the United States Congress. The 
problem is that the leadership of the United States Congress is falling 
for the industry's spin, hook, line, and sinker.
  Mr. Speaker, Joe Camel is part of the problem. It is time for 
Congress to solve the Joe Camel problem. This year Congress can pass a 
comprehensive law to protect America's young people from cigarettes and 
at long last hold the tobacco industry responsible for 30 years of 
deception.
  Every day in America more than 6,000 American children start smoking. 
We cannot wait any longer. The American people deserve a comprehensive 
tobacco reform bill, and they deserve it now.

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