[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 86 (Wednesday, May 22, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S3017]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                S. 1541

  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, on Monday, I introduced legislation 
to raise the national minimum age for purchasing tobacco products from 
18 to 21. I walked through the long history of our Nation's complicated 
relationship with this major cash crop. I laid out the challenges 
facing tobacco farmers in Kentucky and in other States and the new 
opportunities some of them are actually turning to. I explained why, as 
we see signs of a new public health crisis of nicotine addiction in the 
younger generation, now is the time to take decisive new action.
  Together with Senator Tim Kaine, who represents another State with a 
very long history of tobacco production, I was proud to introduce the 
bill that builds on the existing structure that is already in place and 
simply raises the minimum age to 21. Rather than reinvent the wheel 
here in Washington, it would set one national standard for enforcing 
new age-21 restrictions. It is a bill designed with States in mind, and 
it would allow States to take measures even more restrictive than 
Federal law if they choose.
  Senator Kaine and I have been grateful to see--already, even in just 
the past few days--substantial support and recognition from public 
health advocates that our approach is the right way to address this 
pressing issue.
  Already, our legislation has earned the support of leading voices 
like the American Cancer Society, the American Academy of Pediatrics, 
the American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association, the 
American Lung Association, the American Osteopathic Association, the 
National Association of Secondary School Principals, the Foundation for 
a Healthy Kentucky, the Kentucky Hospital and Medical Associations, and 
many others. Here are just a few things these supporters of our bill 
had to say:
  One advocate called it a ``critical step forward that will profoundly 
improve the health of our children and future generations.''
  Another stated our legislation ``will be instrumental in stemming the 
epidemic of vaping that is afflicting children as young as middle 
school.''
  Yet another said our bill could potentially ``save hundreds of 
thousands of lives.''
  This should be an area where we all lock arms to get results. I am 
proud this body will have a chance to take action and stem the tide of 
addiction among our Nation's youth. I am proud to be standing with 
Senator Kaine. I hope each of our colleagues will recognize the 
opportunity before us, avoid making this important issue any kind of 
partisan football, and join in supporting the Tobacco-Free Youth Act.

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