I think there is more to this. Another "Republican", Mike Grosz, in the ND State legislature introduced a bill to ban tobacco completely. It was later learned that his motives were ingenious...expose the health groups in all their naked glory for the world to see.
Why not just ban tobacco completely? : This is a question that has been asked by FReepers with common sense. If it is so horrible and kills the consumer and everyone around them, how could the Gubmint continue to allow it? Everyone here knows the answer. In 2003, Rep. Michael Grosz, R-Grand Forks, a North Dakota Assemblyman introduced a bill to ban the sale of tobacco products in the state. Who showed up to speak against the proposal? Philip Morris? No. RJR? No. Convenience store owners? No. SheLion? No. Gabz? No. Me? No....The American Cancer Society, American Lung Association, and the North Dakato Medical Association!! Why? You guessed it...no tobacco = no money for them.
Belter told the House that committee members were frustrated last week with the testimony from anti-tobacco groups that testified against the tobacco ban, including the North Dakota Medical Association, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, American Lung Association, North Dakota Public Health Association and North Dakota Nurses Association.
The ban also could take away certain funding forthese groups for tobacco control programs. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/827172/posts
Isn't that special. Thanks for the information BUMP!