Posted on 06/01/2004 7:30:33 AM PDT by Rebelbase
A BIPARTISAN proposal in Congress to give the Food and Drug Administration authority to regulate tobacco products is a milestone in the tobacco wars. The bill has strong support from anti-tobacco activists and Altria Group Inc., as tobacco giant Philip Morris is now known. It is sponsored by two Republicans, Sen. Mike DeWine (Ohio) and Rep. Thomas M. Davis III (Va.), and by two Democrats, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (Mass.) and Rep. Henry A. Waxman (Calif.). Philip Morris has, for some time now, declared its support for FDA jurisdiction in principle -- a position that puts it at odds with the other major players in its industry. But the company and public health advocates have not agreed on how strong the agency's authority should be in critical areas. Now, for the first time, both sides have signed on to the same bill.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Phillip Morris has profit in mind by advocating FDA approval. Its my understanding that they already have the Lot tracking process implemented.
FDA approval will put the little guys and imports out of business due to the significant costs associated with Lot tracking.
FMCDH(BITS)
Exactly right. Dewine and Davis should be ashamed supporting this indirect form of corporate welfare. Altria supports it because they know that it will stifle competition.
Only through the government can monopolies exist, and this liberal attempt at regulation and intrusion into the market only serves to remind us of that fact.
Somehow I think this has nothing to do with health and everything to do with politics.
Stuff your own and send them packing.
"It is sponsored by two Republicans, Sen. Mike DeWine (Ohio) and Rep. Thomas M. Davis III (Va.), and by two Democrats, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (Mass.) and Rep. Henry A. Waxman (Calif.)."
I wonder how much Phillip-Morris tobacco related PAC money and perks these Senators have received?
Isn't it about time these guys were put out of business?
There are absolutely NO health benefits of smoking and tons of data to indicate it is pure poison. There is no other product on the market that, used as directed, will kill you as certainly as tobacco will.
Rarely does a grown adult take up the habit of smoking. Smokers start as children. Once hooked on nicotine, it is extremely difficult to quit. I know- I started smoking at 14 years old and it took me almost 20 years before I got the willpower to quit.
I know that as conservatives, we share a belief in personal responsibility. But the fact is that tobacco is the means of delivering an addictive drug, nicotine.
I'm a 3 pack a day exsmoker, 10 years now. My opinion has no perceived validity in a room full of tobacco advocates.
Ask them instead.
No honest person would ever associate his name with the likes of Waxman and Kennedy.. DeWine and Davis bear watching and propably freeping..
You are absolutely correct about Philip Morris.
PM is looking for government sanctioned manopoly status here, just like they did when they agreed to the 1998 MSA and basically forced the hand of the other big companies to go along with them.
PM Has never cared about the consumer. You are well aware of my opinion of them and what they are seeking to do here....no need to get into the boring details!!!
Annie - RYO PING!!!!!
I agree they should be put out of business, especially PM -- but for different reasons than you.
Congratulations on choosing to stop smoking, how ever I do take exception to some of your phraseology.........I know of no one that claims smoking to be a healthy habit, but there is no "certainty" that it will kill anyone. Yes it increases the risk of contracting certain diseases, but that is no certainty.
Eating tomatos and eggplants is also a means of delivering nicotine.....do you eschew eating those and other members of the nightshade family of fruits and veggies, or is nicotine OK in your book as long it is not in the form of tobacco products?
Ok, my first and only question on this is...
1. I grow my own tobacco for my own consumption, will I be able to continue to grow it or does this practice now become illegal?
What flavor is the kool aid today?
I don't see how growing your own for your own consumption would be made illegal under this.....it better not because I'm doing it for the first time this year!!!
The FDA control has to do more with additives and advertising by manufacturers....it's not control of the tobacco itself (there is already enough of that IMO)
As I mentioned in another post, PM is pushing this in order to stifle competition and be granted government sanctioned monopoly status.
Any time PM is in favor of something - it's guaranteed to NOT be in the best interest of consumers.
But you didn't answer my question..............
I'm doing it AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOL!!!
"1. I grow my own tobacco for my own consumption, will I be able to continue to grow it or does this practice now become illegal?"
So long as its not the five leaf variety you'll be ok. :-)
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