Don Nickles: “And if we want to decrease teenage consumption, maybe we should encourage the States to pass laws it is against the law…”

“And if we want to decrease teenage consumption, maybe we should encourage the States to pass laws it is against the law to consume and put some responsibility back on the individual. Instead, we are allowing this massive growth of government. It doesn't make sense. It is not workable. It is not fair. And I don't think it will be effective. I also don't think parts of it will be constitutional, and I don't think we have willing participants by the tobacco companies. So it is just not a good deal. For people who want to raise taxes, raise taxes. Be up front, be honest. If you want to do something else, do something else to get teen consumption down. But this bill is not going to work. It is just not a workable plan. Frankly, if it wouldn't work at $4.4 billion, it won't work at $7.7 billion. I urge my colleagues examine this look-back provision, see how complicated it is, see how confusing it is to give the Secretary this power, and to decide this is not the right way to legislate. It is not the right way to tax, and let's come up with something better. I hope something better would include some personal responsibility and accountability for people who are breaking the law. If a teenager purchases, it is against the law if they are under the age of 18. And if you really don't want them to smoke, maybe we should encourage the States to have laws against the consumption as well.”