News-Record.com

Congressman Howard Coble said, “Tobacco is a product that is lawfully grown, lawfully marketed, lawfully manufactured and lawfully consumed” (July 31) on the House floor during debate of a bill that grants the Food and Drug Administration power to regulate tobacco.

He did not state that tobacco kills 440,000 Americans annually. Or that the nicotine in tobacco is addictive. Most smokers start before age 18. Telling youngsters that something is “for adults only” only increases temptation. Later, after becoming addicted, smokers often face difficulties undoing their immature decision to start.

President Bush threatens to veto this bill, claiming the FDA already is overburdened with current tasks. Lorillard and Reynolds American claim the FDA is the wrong agency to provide regulation, but propose no alternative. The FDA would need additional funding to regulate tobacco, which is our leading cause of preventable deaths. Increasing the federal cigarette tax would provide funds and reduce consumption.

Rep. Coble stated the bill “could threaten what remains of the industry in North Carolina, including farmers and manufacturers.” After the buyout of tobacco farmers, only 25 percent of growers continue planting this poison. Philip Morris closed its plant in Concord. North Carolina’s economy seeks healthier avenues to prosperity.

Richard J. Rosen, MD
Greensboro