Patrick Leahy: “I just mention this about it. The letter very forcefully, very eloquently makes the case why the interests of public…”

“I just mention this about it. The letter very forcefully, very eloquently makes the case why the interests of public health are not served by giving big tobacco further special legal protection. They write: Special legal protections for tobacco are unfair to patients and their families. They write further: Special legal protections for tobacco are bad for public health, especially children's health. They write: Special legal protections for tobacco are undeserved. And they write: If passed, the special legal protections in the Commerce Committee bill would be the biggest corporate giveaway in history. And then they say: For the sake of public health and children's health, for the sake of the people who are already sick and for those who will become sick, and for the sake of holding the industry accountable for its actions, we urge you to strip the special legal protections from the bill. I agree with Dr. Koop. I agree with Dr. Kessler. I agree that first and foremost we should protect the people of this country. We should protect the health of the people of this country. We should protect the children of this country. And we should not be giving special limits on legal liability to big tobacco. I disagree with the position of the White House in trying to allow special legal protection and special immunity for the tobacco companies.”