Orrin Hatch: “This study is crucial because it is perhaps the only scientific study tracking the smoking behaviors of the same kids…”

“This study is crucial because it is perhaps the only scientific study tracking the smoking behaviors of the same kids over a period of time. All other studies have relied on a cross-sectional analysis of unlike communities. Now, is the Senator aware that just a few days ago the Congressional Research Service released its updated report, ``The Proposed Tobacco Settlement Effects on Prices, Smoking Behavior and Income Distribution,'' where they carefully reviewed the scientific literature on the effects of price on youth usage? Now, let me just quote from that report. And I want to ask the Senator if he is aware of this? The findings in these studies cast doubt on the large participation elasticities that were initially assumed in formulating policies to reduce teen smoking. Perhaps this is true because while 36.5 percent of youth have smoked in the past month, only 14.3 percent of youth smoked more than 10 cigarettes each day. Experts believe addicted persons are less responsive to price. Now, let us not fool ourselves. Kids are different from adults and often unpredictable. Is the Senator aware of those facts?”