OCR Text |
Show i I REVIEW lkesideRe 3 Letters to the Editor Tobacco lobby plays smuggling card Some members of Congress appear to be more afraid of cigarette smuggling than kids being hooked on tobacco. The fear of a black market is what some are saying is their reason not to support a large increase in the price of cigarettes to stop teen smoking. Strange that the tobacco industry is saying the same thing, although it wouldnt be the first time that big tobacco and Congress coincidentally talked alike. Tobacco smuggling across state lines is minuscule according to a number of economic studies conducted by states after imposing significant cigarette tax increases. Yet whenever a state contemplates a tobacco tax increase, the tobacco lobby plays the smuggling card and fools a few well intentioned legislators and gives some others who know better the excuse to vote no. Now Canadas black market scenario is being touted by the industry and some members of Congress as the reason not to increase the paltry cigarette excise tax to a level that will deter teen smoking. According to the American Cancer Society and the U.S. Treasury Department, major smuggling did occur in Canada after they more than doubled the price of cigarettes between 1984 and 1994, although its extent was greatly exaggerated. It was later revealed that what smuggling did occur was mainly because the Canadian tobacco companies were complicit in the black market by smuggling back to Canada the cigarettes that were alleged to be exported to the U.S. 24-ce- nt Not to be ignored in all this" intrigue is that during the high tax period smoking among teens dropped 60 percent! Cana--dia- n , After the tax was reduced, smok- ing among teens went up 27 per- -' cent. , The facts are ' tTJ ' that congress can J learn from the Canadian experi- ence and do something to close, the door on smuggling if it wants ' to. i As part of a comprehensive national tobacco policy, congress needs to raise the price of cigarettes $1.50 to $2; use a meaning! ful amount of that revenue for, programs that protect kids from, using tobacco and that helps those addicted to nicotine kick x the habit; penalize the industry- $2 for every dollars worth of to- bacco used by teens; let the Food j and Drug Administration regulate tobacco the same way it does aspirin; and do not protect big to- bacco from lawsuits so they caiv! continue to do business as usuaL , Utah has 30,000 teenage and 70,000 adult smokers. Changing policy to protect kids from tobacco, the most addictive, injurious;: and profitable drug in the coun-- " try, is not easy, even though it's the right thing to do. So, enough of the smuggling smoke screciU excuse and lets get on with pass: ing national legislation that pro- -' tects kids from a life of addiction and all the pain and suffering that v1 goes with it. 1 1 Doug Vilnius Project director , Tobacco Free Utah-, All Add these names to Liars Club Commissioner Gayle Stevenson (R) Davis County Courthouse 28 E. State Farmington, Utah 84025 Office 451-32- Dannie Commissioner McConkie (R) Davis County Courthouse 28 E. State Farmington, Utah 84025 Office Republicanism has been perverted 295-630- 231-491- Centerville City Council Mayor Frank W. Ilirschl 8 Home Michael Barton 6 Home Francine Luczak 4 Home William Nelson 0 Home Rick Bangerter 4 Home Ron Russell 5 Home 292-427- 451-32- 451-320- 295-502- 295-918- Commissioner Carol R. Page (R) Davis County Courthouse 28 E. State ' Farmington, Utah 84025 Office 5 Home Alan Johnson 0 Home Stewart Knowlton 9 Home 0 292-993- 292-262- 298-019- 295-374- Federal Government Clearfield City Council Rep. Jim Hansen (R) 2466 Rayburn Bldg. Washington, D.C. 20515 ' 7 (Ogden office) Mayor Thomas Waggoner 1 Home Ivan D. Anderson 0 Home Diane Layton 5 Home James W. Barlow 3 Home Curtis Oda 6 Home Carr L. Roundy 9 Home 825-565- 625-567- 825-695- Bountiful City Council Mayor John Cushing 2 Home Harold Shatter 9 ; I lome ' Barbara Holt ' 9 Home Sam Fowler 5 825-784- 295-609- 773-828- 295-533- 773-979- 295-544- 773-563- STORAGE SHEDS 10X12 T-1--11 Barn-Styl- e Shed Reg. $1350 SALE S1 1 VfieScw Eitr Quality Construction 2i4 Framing Tamko Shingle 34 Root Hurricane Braces 50 Heavy Hinged Door With Carrlaq Bolt Metal Drip Edga I am a Republican at heart. Why? Because pure unadulterated Republican principles are integral in the U.S. Constitution. Do I support the current, orthodox grand old party? Absolutely not. Why not? Because Republicanism has been perverted by the rich, big business and Political Action Committees. That is why. Utah, for example, is ruled by Republicans with an iron hand. The results? We are one of the highest taxed states in the nation. Moreover, Utah is the 46th lowest in income per capita. Why? Because Republicans strongly Right to support Work or bargaining laws. As a result, Utah employers have all power, employees have none. Consequently, unless you're a doctor, lawyer or Indian chief, most Utahns are forced to work for minimum wages or close to it. Hatch, Bennett, Hansen and Cannon strongly opposed the last minimum wage increase. I would like to see these fat cat millionaires try to live on minimum wages. It simply cant be done Republican hypocrites vehemently oppose all government subsi- dies for public welfare, health care insurance, public education, school lunches, MedicarcMedic-aid- , affirmative action, etc., to assist the poor, whom they insist must survive on minimum wages. Now that is hypocrisy big time! They also oppose wilderness protection and environmental and pollution controls, plus all other programs that favor the poor and middle class. Conversely, they have no problems passing PAC sponsored bills to support bigger tax exemptions for big business, Earl Holding type impostures, car property flat tax rates, Olympic boondoggles, fiascoes and land swap shenanigans. This over favors the rich and further overtaxes the already overtaxed lower and middle class consumer. Cil Montano Layton White zigzag sewing machines that are made of METAL and sew on all fabrics Levis, canvas, upholstery, nylon, stretch, vinyl, silk, EVEN SEWS ON LEATHER! No attachments needed for butonholes (any size), monograms, hems, sews on buttons, satin stitches, overcasts, darns, appliques and more. Just set dials and cams are see magic happen without schoolroom suitable for home, professional or sewing. 25 year warranty. ili41 .TUT THE WOOD SHOP the-nerv- e -- Do you remember the capital gains tax debate and the $12 to $20 million dollar road to Snow Basin? This should definitely concern you. A list of names for the Re- publican presidential ticket for 2000: Newt Gingrich, Dick Armey, Oliver North, Elizabeth Dole, George Bush Jr., Bobby; Dornan, Phil Gramm, Kassick, and Thompson. , They all have loose cannons for mouths. And least we forget; the mouth is controlled by the brain. A bit scary, isn't it? Dennis McClunt Lay ton Due to a massive overstock situation, NUTTALL BERNINA is offering for sale to the public a limited number of new -- In Business Since 1985 recently, and I just cant believe this man. On the Larry King show he denied that he bashes! the president and first lady on his; radio show. On another TV pro- -' gram he denied that anyone was' ' ever convicted as a result of the Iran Contra fiasco. He was con-- " victcd on three counts. North' couldnt tell the truth if his life depended on it. And he has to carry the Bible and copy of the Constitution everywhere he goes. And he constantly manipulates them both to fit his' agenda. Mrs. Clinton was so right. Its' the Republicans big money backing a right wing conspiracy.- -' Do you think our Sen. Orrin, Hatch may have told some untruths during the Iran Contra deal, BCCI Bank scandal and the confirmation of Judge Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court? ssm mssm PRICE WITH THIS AD $187 RETAIL $449 Your check or cash or terms welcome, VISA, MasterCard. Brand new in factory sealed cartons. Redwood Runner Cedar Trim Whitcomb Latch in todays inflated economy. Then at the same time these This letter is in response to an article written about the Clinton Liars Club. Many of the people mentioned are not in the Liars Club because of the Clinton White I louse. They belong there for many other good reasons. George Bush told several untruths about the Iran Contra affair, savings and loan scandals, and there is the infamous read my lips, no more taxes. Regan told many lies when he constantly denied remembering or having any involvement with the Iran Contra affair. Im sorry if this sounds cruel, but look at his condition today. They say that God docs things in mysterious ways, but I sometimes believe they are straightforward obvious ways, but we just dont want to face the truth of the matter. Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich lied, too, and misled the Congressional Ethics Committee. Knowing that this man is third in line for the presidency scares me, and I believe should concern most people. He is a time bomb. His actions has proven this many times over. When Dole was asked about tobacco during the '96 campaign, he stated that he wasnt so certain that nicotine was addictive. He knows that this was a lie. lie tells them occasionally. Three of the big mouths on radio and TV belong in the conservative Liars Club. Limbaugh, Gordon Liddy and Oliver North have no conscience. I've seen North on TV a couple of times OGDEN 3080 Washington 392 5081 DM Remember and can save you money! Get Your TRANSMISSION 21 Ust Cent ilc 544 5911 TUNE-U- P Today! PRESENT THIS AD, AND WE WILL Road test your vehicle prior to service & chock for transmission teaks Remove, inspect and clean transmission pan Adjust linkage and throttle cable Replace fitter or clean semen Reinstall pan with a new gasket and m transmission with new fluid Check modulator and replace hose Road test vehicle after work is completed 7 SAVE rr U M LAYTON Preventive Maintenance Works j jr TRANSKISStGHSP, OOer Enptres AttheEndottheuoom 7Q HOURS: fs. Main, Smithfield Mon.-S- at 9 a m. - 5 p.m. Closed Sunday i 40 |