Political Quotes

“last week I was joined by Senators Lautenberg and Blumenthal to introduce the Tobacco Tax Parity Act, a bill aimed at closing loopholes in how tobacco products are taxed and reducing the incidence of tobacco use. It wasn't that long ago when it was common to smoke in offices, airplanes, elevators or even here in congressional hearings. We have made progress since the landmark 1964 Surgeon General's Report showing the negative effects of smoking on health, but there are plenty of signs that the fight continues to protect future generations from suffering the terrible effects of tobacco. According to a Surgeon General's Report issued in March 2012, tobacco use among youth is a ``pediatric epidemic'' and is the No. 1 cause of preventable and premature death in this country. Every year, tobacco products account for 443,000--or 1 out of 5--deaths. The report also found that every day, 1,000 young people become new regular smokers and, of these new smokers, one-third will eventually die from tobacco- related causes. While our Nation pays the physical and financial burden of tobacco use through $96 billion in annual medical costs and $97 billion in lost productivity due to premature death, tobacco companies invent new ways to generate profits and entice young people to pick up this deadly habit.…”