Pubdate: Thu. 26 Mar. 1998 Source: The Herald, Everett, WA, USA Contact: http://www.heraldnet.com TOBACCO DEAL IN CONGRESS DESERVES QUICK ATTENTION The tobacco deal in Congress isn't dead yet. Its lungs are choked with black carcinogens. It isn't breathing very well. But fortunately, political will has the power to revive this historic legislation. Congressional members have no choice but to put the life back into this tobacco deal for the sake of children. In a recent telephone conference, Secretary of Social and Health Services Donna Shalala said she is convinced this session will end with a successful, comprehensive package that reduces the power of Big Tobacco. This legislation is unique because it's easy for the common voter to understand, it's supported by people from all colors of the political spectrum, and it's good for the country's health. The only thing lawmakers against the proposals have going for them is the money lining their pockets from tobacco companies. That shouldn't be enough to stave off the will of the people. Attorneys general from across the country, including Washington's Christine Gregoire, achieved the landmark success of brokering a deal with all the major tobacco companies. The AGs' plan hinges upon congressional approval. In the early stages, many congressional members introduced bills that punish tobacco companies even more than the AG's original deal. President Clinton, not to be outdone, proposed his own package of comprehensive anti-tobacco laws. It looked like a deal stronger than the attorneys' plan was on the horizon. Then politics happened. Tobacco lobbyists are working overtime to protect their precious products. The tobacco punishing bills are waning. Now, it looks like a tobacco deal is far from passage. But Secretary Shalala has hope. She describes the legislative process as a poker game, not a game of hearts. Things fall apart and then they come back together again. Voters ought to make sure Shalala's words stand and Congress doesn't leave this session without historic tobacco legislation. President Clinton has announced five crucial elements that must be the framework for a comprehensive tobacco deal. The intent is to assure fewer children get addicted to tobacco; the FDA as full regulatory jurisdiction over the manufacturing, marketing and sale of tobacco; tobacco companies will never repeat their secretive, despicable acts of denying the addictivness of tobacco and luring young smokers; anti-smoking efforts will be prevalent in the U.S. as well as foreign countries; tobacco farmers will receive job retraining and tobacco farming communities will benefit from economic development projects. Vice President Al Gore recently announced that an increase of $1.10 a cigarette pack over five years will cut teenage smoking by an average of 42 percent nationwide. The price increase would also be accompanied by stricter laws prohibiting tobacco sales to minors and a ban on tobacco advertising geared toward young people. With those provisions in place, experts say Washington state will see a 33 to 36 percent reduction in youth smoking and premature deaths. That's a lot of kids Congress can save. It's time Congress steps out from the smoke and mirrors and passes a meaningful, strict package of tobacco legislation that ends this pitiful era where tobacco reigns.