[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 71 (Thursday, June 4, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1030]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TOBACCO LEGISLATION IN THE 105TH CONGRESS

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                          HON. ELTON GALLEGLY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 4, 1998

  Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
express some thoughts regarding the legislation dealing with the 
proposed tobacco settlement.
  Several weeks ago I sent a letter to the Chairman of the Committee on 
Commerce, the Honorable Tom Bliley, asking that as the Committee 
considers legislation in this area, that it include several elements 
which I believe are critical to decreasing the rate of tobacco 
addiction among young people. I would briefly like to outline these 
points.
  First, I strongly believe that any settlement legislation should 
include language requiring the General Accounting Office or other 
nonpartisan, respected organization to conduct periodic studies on the 
impact of any tobacco legislation on tobacco usage by young Americans. 
These studies should examine tobacco usage not only among both 
teenagers, but also among pre-teenagers.
  These follow-up studies are necessary, I believe, for providing 
policy-makers, including members of Congress, with detailed information 
on the success or failure of various aspects of a tobacco bill. The 
findings will also serve as the basis for any future legislative or 
regulatory changes to our nation's tobacco-reduction efforts. 
Currently, it is estimated that over 35 percent of high-school seniors 
smoke--a nineteen-year high--and that since 1991 smoking rates for both 
eighth and tenth graders have increased dramatically. It is imperative 
that any policies enacted are successful in reversing these alarming 
trends.
  Second, I also strongly urge that any tobacco legislation include 
provisions aimed at curtailing the use by young people of all tobacco 
products, including smokeless tobacco and cigars. These products are 
very harmful to young persons. I am particularly disturbed by a Centers 
for Disease Control study which found that 16 percent of boys in grades 
nine to twelve use smokeless tobacco products in a thirty-day period. 
Other reports have found that cigar usage has increased at an alarming 
rate among American boys and girls.
  The inclusion of these two elements will ensure that any tobacco 
legislation reduce the usage of all types of tobacco products. It will 
further ensure that Congress is given the data and information 
necessary to make common sense, effective changes in future tobacco 
policy with the ultimate goal of significantly decreasing the number of 
teenagers who smoke.

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