Voting NAY on the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act

[EJSTES2005]

My recent email to my soon to be retired Senator Mel Martinez in regards to the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control bill.

Hello Senator Martinez, I am deeply saddened that you will not be running for re-election. Having said that can you please explain to me how I might be better be able to understand your recent vote on the "Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act". I find it a bit disturbing knowing what I do about this bill how anyone could vote against it. Knowing all to well the dangers of the youngest and most vulnerable of our population picking the deadliest habit our country has ever known. This habit kills almost 400,000 Americans every year. Equal to 100 nine-eleven style attacks every year. Please explain to me your concerns with this bill that caused you to actually vote against it.

Thank you for your time and consideration on this very important subject.

Sincerely,
Timothy *** ********

I also sent a similar email to Senator Tom Cobern, M.D. How can any legitimate doctor be against this legislation ?

Obviously the above is not entirely accurate in regards to his future retirement. I would almost take him over the embarrassment I call my congresswoman here in the 3rd district, Corrine Brown. If she runs for the dem seat and some how miraculously wins the nomination we can kiss goodbye any chance of beating Gov Crist in the general.

[DoctorMyEyes]

1. The bill is a wolf in sheeps clothing

It was written by big tobacco for the benefit of big tobacco and disguised as something concerning health and children. Like when Bush called increased pollution "clear skies" and deforestation "healthy forests".

Rather than asking how they could have voted against it you should thank them for taking the time to read it and understand it's implications.

Edited to add a link to a summary of what's wrong with this bill:
http://www.thebigmoney.com/articles/judgments/2009/06/08/cool-refreshing-legislation-philip-morris?page=full

[EJSTES2005]

2. So.........

In other words your saying all the Dem's who voted for it are just pawns for big tobacco and the nay voters below have our best interests at heart...Some how I find this very hard to believe. Guess these guys are all mouth pieces for Big Tobacco as well :

John R. Seffrin, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of the American Cancer Society and its advocacy affiliate, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), declared this "a historic day for public health."

Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) had said, "Kraft Foods would never be allowed to add ammonia to Kraft Macaroni and Cheese on the grounds that, say, it improves 'cheese satisfaction' for its customers. That's because ammonia is not on the FDA list of products that are Generally Recognized as Safe. This bill is about standing up to the power of Big Tobacco."


"For over a decade, leaders of both parties have fought to prevent tobacco companies from marketing their products to children, and provide the public with the information they need to understand what a dangerous habit this is. And after a decade of opposition, all of us are finally about to achieve the victory with this bill, a bill that truly defines change in Washington," Obama said.

President Barack Obama


Guess these are all hard won battles of Big Tobacco also :

The legislation would stop the marketing of tobacco products to children, require tobacco companies to list the poisons in their products and mandate larger and more effective warning labels on tobacco product packaging,"


Please tell me where in this bill I can find the "benefits" for big tobacco ?

Politics is not about being perfect. If we all sat around waiting for the perfect before progress could be made we would probably still be under the kings rule.

[DoctorMyEyes]

4. knee jerk much?

[Mojorabbit]

3. Thanks for the article

I figured as much. I hate these bills named with such cutesy names like family yada yada. This is an area I am libertarian on. I don't think it is government's business to ban cigarettes like they will be banning clove smokes. The more free will we give up the more they will take under the guise of protecting the citizens or think of the children. I prefer education efforts re the risks and then let adults make up their minds what substances they want to use in their bodies.

[DoctorMyEyes]

5. Thanks for reading the article

It's a very flawed bill, but it contains all the buzzwords and is named in such an appealing way. Like DOMA - like marriage is under some kind of attack!

The banning of cloves and other flavors was to knock out competition among organic and smaller tobacco companies that might not be putting 4000 or so chemicals into their blend. What's next? No peach schnapps? No apple vodka? No caramel coffee? Because you know it's not like adults enjoy flavor - it's all a ploy to addict the precious little children... :sarcasm:

Our strapped and understaffed FDA is going after Cheerios and electronic cigarettes. They can have my Mr. Coffee when they pry it from my cold dead hands.

[Why Syzygy]

6. Thanks ..

I knew the tobacco lobby would never allow it to pass unless it was to their benefit.
These days I'm fairly confident in assuming that any "yes" vote is a vote FOR corporate interests.
Call me cynical and fed up.

I smoke an all natural brand, American Spirit. I had a hunch when reading about the bill that it might affect my ability to find the brand. Banning clove cigarettes is fascism.

ON EDIT: If this becomes law and adversely impacts my ability to purchase the product of choice, it will tick me off enough to QUIT and devote the rest of my life to helping others quit.

You should make your linked article an OP in GD.