By JILL GUEST
Preventing the tobacco industry from recruiting children as new smokers is the focus of The Congressional Task Force on Tobacco and Health.
The task force held its first meeting Feb. 13 with co-chairs, Rep. James V. Hansen (R-Utah) and Rep. Martin T. Meehan (D-Mass.) outlining the vision for the legislative session.
The primary efforts of the task force are to protect children from the tobacco industry’s attempt to recruit new smokers.
“We don’t have a problem with adults who choose to smoke cigarettes,” Hansen said. “But when tobacco executives instruct their advertising agents to target 14-year-old eighth graders, we have a big problem.”
The task force also strives for a full disclosure of tobacco product ingredients; a stronger Surgeon General’s Warning to include the addictivenss of tobacco and ways to quit smoking; an elimination of services provided to the tobacco industry by the United States Department of Agriculture; and a guard to any weakening of regulations set forth by the United States Food and Drug Administration on the access and advertising of tobacco products.
“Advertising is a key component of the tobacco industry’s push to replace the 400,000 smokers that die each year. Without question, the advertising is geared to appeal to young boys and girls,” Hansen said.
The bipartisan task force will also seek to play an active role in legal settlements sought by tobacco companies being sued by several states. Settlements would require congressional action and the task force will play an important role in those efforts.
Currently, the task force is comprised of 53 members, including Rep. Chris Cannon and Rep. Merrill Cook from Utah. Membership is expected to rise and Hansen encouraged anyone and everyone sharing views on this issue to join.
“We are in no way going to restrict tobacco use for adults, we are working to prevent the tobacco industry from peddling their products to children. There are a half million smokers that die each year and the industry wants to replace their clients,” said Brian Williams, a legislative assistant for Congressman Hansen.
