Congress Holds Hearing on Buy-Out of Federal Tobacco Program

Newsstream.com ^ | 27 September 2002

[SheLion]

STORY SUMMARY: Congress is holding hearings on proposals that for the first time would buy-out the Federal Tobacco Program. Tobacco manufacturers would pay for the multi-billion dollar buy-out legislation.

One proposal, the McIntyre-Davis Bill, would eliminate the tobacco quota system and establish an open marketplace. The bill also includes FDA regulation of tobacco products.

The following sound bites are available from Mike Szymanzcyk, chairman and CEO Philip Morris USA.

(Szymanzcyk) The convergence of Federal Legislation and the tobacco quota buyout presents an opportunity for us to work together to insure that these complimentary goals are joined to fashion a comprehensive, thoughtful, and effective national tobacco policy (:15)

(Szymanzcyk) Representatives McIntyre and Davis have proposed a quota buyout that is truly a buyout, not merely a subsidy posing as a buyout. Alternative proposals that would purport to eliminate the existing quota and price control system only to replace them with new ones, are simply not reasonable, equitable or achievable. (:20) ---------------

Produced for Philip Morris U.S.A.

Contact:

Emily Lloyd, 212-980-9090

[bjs1779]

I'll tell you what: if I was a cigarette smoker, I'd want the FDA to keep an eye on the quality of imported tobacco, as some of those foreign countries are pretty slipshod when it comes to things like regulating pesticide/herbicide use.

Yes, but most of us can still buy tobacco products that are grown here in the United States inexpensively. While the FDA will never "approve" the use of tobacco, I envision that they will "not approve" certain channels of tobacco sales if it doesn't originate from Big tobacco. Much the same as the regulation of pharmaceuticals. So once again, the US government is going to get involved in more corruption.

[rdb3]

There always has been a law to when someone could buy cigarettes. In Ohio, it was 18. Maine, the same.

When was this the case in Ohio? I specifically remember going to the store and buying my mom packs of Viceroy 100s since I was about 8. I still remember 3.2 beer (don't know if they sell it now) which 18 year olds could buy.

I'm only 30, so it wasn't that long ago.

[mg39]

I don't know about any of that, but I do remember going to see rock concerts in the 80's, when I was a pre-18 teenager, and getting free samples of cigarettes that were being given out by the cig companies. I suspect they aren't as audacious nowadays in their attempts to hook kids.

[SheLion]

I grew up in Ohio. And it was always age 18 to buy cigarettes. I don't know where you bought cigarettes at 8. You must have had a note from your Mother. It wasn't enforced like it is today, but it was always 18 before you could legally buy cigarettes. I remember 3.5 beer as well. Do they still sell it?

[rdb3]

I grew up in Ohio. And it was always age 18 to buy cigarettes. I don't know where you bought cigarettes at 8. You must have had a note from your Mother. It wasn't enforced like it is today, but it was always 18 before you could legally buy cigarettes. I remember 3.5 beer as well. Do they still sell it?

I grew up in East Cleveland. The age 18 thing is new news to me! I never had a note or anything like that. My pop owned a delicatessen on E.140th & St. Clair, and I rang up cigarrette sells to kids, too. Only thing I couldn't ring up was alcohol.

I don't remember seeing one sign that said this was the law. I'm not saying you are wrong, just that this revelation is blowing my mind!

3.2 beer? I hadn't lived there in 11 years, so I don't know. I highly doubt it, though.

[rdb3]

I don't know about any of that, but I do remember going to see rock concerts in the 80's, when I was a pre-18 teenager, and getting free samples of cigarettes that were being given out by the cig companies. I suspect they aren't as audacious nowadays in their attempts to hook kids.

Oh yeah! You mean those small packs of 5 cigs, I believe. I think Newport had a non-menthol brand (didn't go very far) like that. Anyone could just grab those samples, kids or not.

[mg39]

You got it!

[Great Dane]

We all know that if cigarettes are put under the control of the FDA, they would not put their seal of approval on them. Therefore, they would have to ban cigarettes.

Either that or being forced to admit second hand smoke is of no concern........ remember governments can't afford to loose the money. :-}

[SheLion]

remember governments can't afford to loose the money. :-}

That's why I can't understand this business about wanting the FDA to regulate cigarettes! That would be the Sudden Death Syndrome for sure!