[spycatcher]

Troops & tobacco: A hard habit for America's soldiers to break

In a scathing four-page letter in June to U.S. Smokeless Tobacco - the Connecticut company that sent Marines products after the invasion of Iraq - two congressmen compared the company's donation to the U.S. tobacco industry's "long and disgraceful history" of giving away products to troops.

"Your actions recall tobacco companies' distribution of free cigarettes to soldiers during World War II, which caused hundreds of thousands of servicemen to become addicted and die of tobacco-related illnesses," wrote Rep. Henry A. Waxman, D-Calif., and Bill Janklow, the former South Dakota representative recently jailed for a traffic-related manslaughter conviction.

U.S. Smokeless Tobacco officials defended the gift, saying the intent was to "provide product to current adult consumers who were unable to purchase the product."

Other tobacco manufacturers such as R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. say they have abandoned efforts to give away cigarettes to soldiers. "We are not sending cigarettes to troops in Iraq or elsewhere nor are we currently investigating that option," said Carole S. Crosslin, an R.J. Reynolds spokeswoman.

[Brad’s Gramma]

Rep. Henry A. Waxman, D-Calif.

Well, THAT changes everything for me. < /HEAVY sarcasm>

[Smokin' Joe]

Bill Janklow, the former South Dakota representative recently jailed for a traffic-related manslaughter conviction.

Ummm which one is more hazardous? (Janklow ran a stop sign at high speed and ran down a guy on a motorcycle who had the right of way.)

[Jay Howard Smith]

Other tobacco manufacturers such as R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. say they have abandoned efforts to give away cigarettes to soldiers. "We are not sending cigarettes to troops in Iraq or elsewhere nor are we currently investigating that option," said Carole S. Crosslin, an R.J. Reynolds spokeswoman.

Got started on Camels when they came in my K-Rats 54 years ago. I quit 6 months ago. Just cant afford them anymore..!

[Baytovin]

"... wrote Rep. Henry A. Waxman, D-Calif."

Dear Mr. Waxman....the majority of decent Americans regret your Mother's decision NOT to have an abortion....

[PeteB570]

I can still recall the cigarette "4 packs" that came in C-rations. When you were down to only two meals a day it was best to have some non-smoker friends.

[Twinkie]

What drivel from the nanny state. My Dad smoked on the
battlefield. It was calming and a diversion at a time
when any moment could be the last. Let's see, treats were
rations, and a cigarette, coffee, precious little for men
with their lives on the line. He quit after he got back
home, but chewed tobacco all his life. So, now the
cigarette companies can't offer a smoke to men in harm's
way. Guess the Hershey's Co. can't send them a little
candy. It might rot their teeth. - Thanks, John Edwards.