[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 85 (Thursday, June 25, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H5301]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                COMPREHENSIVE TOBACCO LEGISLATION NEEDED

  (Ms. DeGETTE asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Ms. DeGETTE. Madam Speaker, this past Saturday marked the 1-year 
anniversary of the State attorneys general's proposed tobacco 
settlement. Ironically, this anniversary was also marked by the death 
of tobacco legislation in this Congress.
  Since June 1997, Congress has done nothing to stem the willful and 
destructive forces of the tobacco industry. Today, more than a year 
later, all we see is a list of principles from the majority party that 
protects Big Tobacco and still punishes teens.
  By selling out to Big Tobacco, the 105th Congress has failed to act 
while an astounding 1,095,000 more kids became addicted to this lethal 
product. During this 1-minute speech, two more children will become 
addicted to tobacco. This tombstone symbolizes the 1,095,000 children 
addicted to tobacco just in the last year.
  Madam Speaker, if we are serious about reducing teen smoking, we need 
to pass important and comprehensive legislation and we need to raise 
the legal purchase price from 18 to 21 years old. Let us not make this 
paper tombstone turn to stone.

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