[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 67 (Friday, May 22, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E953]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


SUPPORT A BILL TO PROTECT KIDS AGAINST TOBACCO USE WHILE PRESERVING THE 
                         ADULT RIGHT TO CHOOSE

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                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 21, 1998

  Mr. BISHOP. Mr. Speaker, I have introduced the Tobacco Use by Minors 
Deterrence Act, which, if enacted, would actually address and stop 
access by children to tobacco.
  It is a model law tying health funds for States to their efforts to 
keep tobacco away from our kids.
  It outlaws the sale to or possession by kids of tobacco products.
  It requires parental notification of violations by kids.
  It provides civil fines and loss of driver's license for kids who are 
caught.
  It requires a license to sell tobacco products similar to those for 
sale of alcohol.
  It provides loss of license to sell by retail outlets for repeated 
infractions.
  It requires training of employees, posting of notices, and lock-out 
devices for vending machines.
  In short, it provides for a shared responsibility by kids, families, 
law enforcement, and retailers to protect the health, safety, and 
welfare of our kids against tobacco use while protecting the right of 
informed adults to make a choice.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to consider supporting this bill 
before even thinking about enacting a huge regressive tax on our 
constituents.
  My bill protects our kids against tobacco, but at the same time it 
keeps a legal business viable, which is crucial to my Congressional 
District, and allows adults to make their own choice.

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