Barbara Boxer: “I want to thank my colleague from Illinois for his leadership in making our people healthier than they otherwise would…”

“I want to thank my colleague from Illinois for his leadership in making our people healthier than they otherwise would be. He talked about the battles we have had making sure that we crack down on the tobacco companies that told us for years smoking was safe--as a matter of fact, do it, it will relax you--and they denied the science. We lived through those years. Many years ago, I worked with then- Senator Lautenberg--and Senator Durbin led the charge in the House--to stop smoking on airplanes. I remember coming home from these long trips and literally reeking of cigarette smoke--I never smoked in my life, but just sitting around it in the airplanes. Now we are working together on NIH issues. We are very upset about some of the false claims that are being made about ecigarettes, and we want the truth out. So before he leaves the floor, I want to thank the Senator.”