Cord Byrd: “may I say that I fully understand the economic impact of the tobacco industry on the State of the distinguished Senator…”

“may I say that I fully understand the economic impact of the tobacco industry on the State of the distinguished Senator who has just spoken. West Virginia grows good tobacco crops as well, and the income from those tobacco crops certainly impact upon many families in many counties of West Virginia. We are talking about here, though, a product that results in the maiming and in the killing of people--innocent men, women, and children. The distinguished Senator from Kentucky mentions the carbon dioxide emissions and other greenhouse gas emissions and possible implications of those emissions on health. People who breathe that air may well, indeed, suffer an adverse impact on their health. But they don't go out and maim. They don't go out and drive an automobile, lose their proper judgment, and end up killing innocent people. They do not go home and abuse their spouses if they smoke cigarettes or if they breathe air blown from them. They don't go home and abuse their children. They don't go home and assault and batter the other members of their family. I am talking about a product that we all know--it is not just this Senator's opinion. We all know when we read the daily newspapers about the effects of drinking and driving.…”