Connie Morella: “Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Durbin-Hansen-Morella amendment, which aims at discouraging young people from…”

“Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Durbin-Hansen-Morella amendment, which aims at discouraging young people from smoking. Tobacco use continues to be a major health problem in the United States. More than 400,000 Americans die each year from diseases related to tobacco use. The American Heart Association emphasizes that ``More people die each year in the United States from smoking than from aids, alcohol, drug use, homicide, car accidents, and fires combined.'' Statistics show that most people smoke their first cigarette and become addicted to nicotine before the age of 18. Adolescent smokers become adult smokers. Very few individuals begin using tobacco products when they are adults. Consequently, the key to reducing the rate of disease resulting from tobacco use is to discourage young people from starting to use tobacco products. Mr. Chairman, H.R. 6, as it is currently written, treats tobacco differently from alcohol and other drugs. In order to influence young people to stay away from alcohol and drugs, the bill provides programs aimed at prevention, intervention, rehabilitation, and education. When it comes to tobacco, the bill provides only education.”