Dick Lugar: “I strongly support Senator Harkins's amendment to increase the tobacco deficit-reduction assessment and devote the…”

“I strongly support Senator Harkins's amendment to increase the tobacco deficit-reduction assessment and devote the proceeds to enforcement of the Food and Drug Administration's rules to deter underage smoking. Senator Harkin has discussed this amendment with me and I find it fully consistent with my own views on the urgency of preventing smoking. The increased assessment will still contribute to future deficit reduction because it will assist us in preventing smoking. When a young person makes the mistake of beginning to smoke, serious health risks are created for the individual. The problems do not end here, however. A decision to smoke is also a decision to increase potential future health care costs. Many of these costs are borne by the Federal and State governments. People who do not begin smoking will be less a burden on the Nation's health care system and on the Nation's treasury. The primary benefit of the amendment, however, will be on the lives of individual young people. If they do not begin smoking in youth, they are unlikely to start once they attain greater maturity. Preventing smoking at an especially vulnerable age is a national priority and I commend Senator Harkin for advancing it in this amendment.”