Kent Conrad: “We are saying, in addition, tobacco revenues need to be used for counteradvertising. The resolution says no, none of the…”

“We are saying, in addition, tobacco revenues need to be used for counteradvertising. The resolution says no, none of the money can be used for that purpose. We say some of the money needs to be used for tobacco-related research. The resolution says no, none of the money can be used for that purpose. We think some of the money needs to be used to fund smoking prevention and cessation programs. The resolution says no, none of the money can be used for that purpose. We think some of it should be used to assist farmers in the transition. The resolution says no, none of the money. We will be told that, in fact, there is money in other parts of the budget, but all of us who are budgeteers understand that those are assumptions. There is no assurance whatever that 1 penny will be available for these purposes from these other funds. And even if they were available, under the assumptions of the Budget Committee, they are woefully inadequate. They only provide about $100 million a year when the health community tells us we need at least $2 billion a year if we are really going to have a chance to reduce youth smoking and protect the public health. We have an opportunity now to respond and broaden the use of the reserve fund so we can have comprehensive tobacco legislation pass in this Chamber. The only way any of the bills that are before us now will be in order on the floor of the Senate is if my amendment passes. I urge my colleagues to support it.”