House Chamber, Washington, DC April 2, 2009 M. Speaker: Today this house passed HR 1256, which takes tobacco regulation to a whole new level and at the same time imposes onerous new fees that will be passed on to consumers as higher prices. The entire debate on that bill was over what method government should use to do so. Before we close todays proceedings, I would like to offer a different perspective. Many years ago, author and commentator Bruce Herschensohn made this point. He said, for every pleasure in life, there is a corresponding risk. I think thats a universal truth: For every pleasure in life, there is a corresponding risk. And he pointed out that its true that with enough taxes, laws, restrictions, regulations, penalties and lectures, government can produce a virtually risk-free society. But it will also be one of the most colorless, pleasureless, tedious and miserable societies ever conceived by the mind of man. I believe that is the case. The health risks of smoking are real and they are well documented. Our schools rightly make a concerted effort to inform every child of the health risks associated with tobacco products, and they do a good job of it. Our government warns every adult of the risks associated with tobacco products, and they do a good job of it, too. As a result, I dont believe there is a single individual in the United States who doesnt well and fully comprehend the health risks of tobacco. But once those warnings are issued, how much further …
HR 1256 Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act
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December 25th, 2010 at 3:53 am
last time I was at the store I saw nothing but flavored cigars
December 25th, 2010 at 4:00 am
Looks like we live in a dictatorship.
Look out washington, when this plan kicks into gear you’re going to have a real problem on your hands.
This isnt an attack on tobacco but an attack on our freedom of choice.
December 25th, 2010 at 4:26 am
for me this is not an issue of health but of individual freedom. little by little is how rights – i said rights not privileges – are stripped away. this is not a good precedent.
December 25th, 2010 at 4:39 am
Fuck this bill! What the hell?!
December 25th, 2010 at 5:26 am
i agree with you why dont we ban kids meals at fast food places, it helps make kids fat, however im not saying the tobacco companies are saints, but come on
December 25th, 2010 at 5:50 am
I don’t smoke, but this bothers the heck out of me. More big govt sticking their nose into our busniess where they should never stick noses into!! Typical of this current congress and administration!
December 25th, 2010 at 6:02 am
well find out who’s buying them for them and stop that, Kids are not allowed to smoke,
December 25th, 2010 at 6:34 am
Oh really. I know kids as young as 10 who are avid smokers.
December 25th, 2010 at 7:05 am
He tells the truth
December 25th, 2010 at 7:52 am
No they are not. Kids can’t buy cigaretts
December 25th, 2010 at 8:49 am
good speech
December 25th, 2010 at 9:08 am
flavored cigarettes are really designed for children. tobacco companies flavor cigarettes like orange and bubblegum so that children will think they taste good, and get addicted to cigarettes. we are trying to discourage smoking in children, not promote it. nobody is taking your freedom away. it is all in your head. nobody is banning cigarettes. you can still light up to your hearts content. they are just regulating what’s in cigarettes, and keeping them from being advertised to children.
December 25th, 2010 at 9:09 am
i dont smoke and this bill doesnt bother me except for the part that bans flavored cigarettes, that stupid , just government banning another item the public should choose to use.
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