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New bill is necessary measure
Published Saturday, June 13, 2009
Smoking is one of the foulest habits known. The residue stinks. It causes numerous health problems. It stains the teeth. There's not a redeeming quality about it.
On Friday, Congress passed a bill that takes a sweeping blow at eradicating this pestilence from our society by placing tobacco products under the authority of the Food and Drug Administration. That means the government agency can demand changes or block the introduction of new products.
For certain, the government will dig in and attempt to prevent new nicotine addicts by focusing on teenagers. For instance, the legislation does not allow tobacco advertising within 1,000 feet of schools or playgrounds. Point-of-sale advertising will be limited to adults-only facilities. Vending machines will be allowed only in places restricted to adults. Retailers who sell tobacco products to minors will face federal enforcement and penalties.
The new measure, which President Obama (a smoker) expects to sign into law soon, also forbids the sale of "flavored" cigarettes, more popular with young smokers. Cigarettes advertised as "light" or "mild" will disappear from the market.
The move is one needed for a long time when one considers the 400,000 deaths and $100 billion in health care costs attributed each year to smoking in this nation.
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Comments
Posted by leo71 (anonymous) on June 13, 2009 at 9:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm a non-smoker and I agree that cigarette smoking is indeed a foul habit with negative consequences for one's health but this seems a but extreme.Aren't there laws already on the books banning the sale of tobacco products near schools and to those that are under age?Is forbiding the sale of "flavored"cigarettes really going to decrease smoking among kids?Though i'm a non-smoker I believe-- as long as they take care not to blow their second hand smoke towards me-- in a person's right to smoke if they want to.I also have faith in parent's ability to dissuade their children from picking up this nasty--and deadly-- habit.This just seems like more government intrusion in our lives,and it's very disturbing.It makes you wonder what's next.
Posted by nowhining (anonymous) on June 13, 2009 at 9:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm tired of the U.S. Congress trying to make this a nanny state. The article talks of 400,000 deaths from smoking, but how many die from drinking, drugs, and the one thing the congress keeps harping on ,abortions in a year. I want less gov. control, not more. I want the gov. to allow me, my children, and my grand-children the right to choose their lifestyle. If they smoke, so be it. When I get caught speeding, I am willing to pay the ticket. It was my choice to speed. I guess next they will put governors on cars, like they have on buses. WE, the American people are having our rights taken away, and are allowing our elected officials to do it. Please quit telling me how to live my life. Remember Hitler started by eroding people's rights. Smoking is a horrible addiction, but the smoker is using a legal substance, is already limited in where he/she can light up, pays huge amount of taxes on the product, and now will be limited further. I don't see any outrage. It is horrible that they pick on one group of people, and try to make them total outcasts in society. Watch out everybody, YOU may be next.
Posted by leo71 (anonymous) on June 13, 2009 at 9:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You're right,nowhining.We all know that smoking cigarettes causes cancer and contributes to a host of other diseases.I say educate the public about the dangers--which everyone should know unless they've been hiding under a rock-- and let US decide.We're perfectly capable of making decisions for ourselves.
Posted by popdukes12 (anonymous) on June 13, 2009 at 12:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I just want to thank the congressional black caucus. In their wisdom, they determined that 75% of black smokers smoke menthol and therefore were able to get menthol smokers a free ride on this increase. I smoke "Kools"(as a result of a low rent upbringing). This increase was really intended to help support the new health care package be increasing revenue with a new "sin tax". The altruistic implication was that people would smoke less and lead healthier lives. This is another fine example of politics boiling down to who pays for what. The new package is intended to help cover the forty-seven million uninsured people (including the twelve million illegals) that either can't or won't pay for coverage. I have a 90/10 BCBS policy that my company pays half on every week, and I really didn't want to pay more for my smokes. Thanks again to all the blacks that smokes Kools and Newports that helped keep my cigarette prices down. Now, me and my girl can continue to go to Capt. Anderson's ( in Panama City) for dinner instead of Burger King. popdukes12
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