[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 68 (Wednesday, May 12, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H3005]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TEEN SMOKING IN AMERICA IS A CRISIS

  (Mr. HANSEN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, teen smoking is a crisis which threatens the 
health and lives of thousands of our youth every day.
  As a result of the recent settlement between the individual States 
and the tobacco industry, a marvelous opportunity presented itself to 
this Congress, an opportunity to show our dedication to our children by 
assuring that part of the billions of dollars that will be paid to the 
States would be spent on teenage smoking. Sadly, many in this body on 
both sides of the aisle are unwilling to assure that even one penny of 
this clearly anti-tobacco money is spent to stop smoking amongst our 
youth.
  Why is it important? One, $78 billion is spent every year on tobacco-
related health expenses; $35 billion in extra tax burden faces American 
taxpayers every year as a result of smoking-related costs; 1.1 million 
kids begin smoking every year. And the list goes on and on.
  Now, contrary to what some might say, this is not a partisan issue. 
This most recent battle against teen smoking has seen Members of both 
parties fighting both for and against tobacco control. As one who has 
been fighting to end teen smoking for many years, I applaud Members 
from both parties for their support of tobacco control and express my 
disappointment that leaders from both parties have refused to take a 
stand against teenage smoking.
  Mr. Speaker, if there was ever a time we need strong leadership in 
this area, it is now.

                          ____________________