Tom Harkin: “Kids all over America walking into gas stations, small retail outlets, not being asked to show an ID, buying cigarettes…”

“Kids all over America walking into gas stations, small retail outlets, not being asked to show an ID, buying cigarettes and getting hooked, getting hooked on tobacco. That is what is not fair. That is what this amendment seeks to prevent. The FDA promulgated a rule. The tobacco companies took them to court. The court in Greensboro, NC, upheld that part of the FDA rule that says FDA can set a minimum age for tobacco purchases and require that retail establishments have to card anyone who appears to be under 27. The Court said FDA can promulgate that rule. The rule is in place. What our amendment does is provide some money to the States and local jurisdictions to enforce the rules and also money to help the private establishments meet their obligations not to sell to minors and to have an ID check on young people so they do not buy tobacco when they are under the age of 18. That is what is fair. States need the funds. This funding for FDA's youth tobacco initiative is supported by 33 attorneys general from around the country who have been part of this tobacco settlement that they are working on.”