Peter Visclosky: “Mr. Chairman, I want to first of all rise to congratulate the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Durbin], the gentleman from…”

“Mr. Chairman, I want to first of all rise to congratulate the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Durbin], the gentleman from Utah [Mr. Hansen], and the gentlewoman from Maryland [Mrs. Morella] for their leadership on this issue. I strongly support their amendment. Nicotine addiction makes quitting smoking as hard as quitting heroin, cocaine, or alcohol. Research shows that for most smokers nicotine addiction begins during childhood or adolescence. A long-term national study has found that 70 percent of high school seniors who smoke one to five cigarettes a day are still smoking 5 years later. The fact is that while almost one-half million people die from smoking-related deaths annually, that 90 percent of those smokers begin smoking before they graduate from high school, and that demands that we treat this drug on the same level as alcohol and other illegal drugs. Smoking is currently illegal for those under 18 in every State. The facts are clear. If this product is illegal for our children, addicting, and proves to be deadly if used properly, we have a responsibility in this House to teach our children the facts, help them deal with peer pressures, and aid in treatment of this deadly addiction. The amendment that is offered today is needed so that prevention, early intervention, rehabilitation, referral, and education can all be possible for our children.”