European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 11, 1985, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Tobacco politics tobacco Page pub by Odt Ore among Mauei health official object to Moil. The stars and stripes confirmed from Paye 13 year on advertising which comes to More in one Day than the Federal government expends in an entire year on smoking education the blame cannot simply be placed on tobacco Belt politicians protecting the interests of the tobacco armours in their Stales by making political deals with other members of Congress Many it whom Are considered champions of Public safety they implicated Allol Congress in the Delen of cigarettes critics say. This great Deal was made said Frank. It has particularly been made by liberals in the Early 70s. There was on agreement thai the agricultural interests would support food Stamps in the liberals would support  sub Klier. " tobacco Farmers receive a hit her percentage of their income from the Federal 9 Ern ment than any other farm group. Myers said the problem is that in american politics there has generally been a reeling of you protect my interests and i la protect yours " said Frank Frank voted against the tobacco supports As a freshman congressman and was assailed by some of his colleagues who told him that stand would Hurt the food stamp program ii was considered bad  says Frank. We re nol there to attack each others programs. The s How most people think " when tha surgeon general issued his Tirol warning against cigarette smoking in 1964. The tobacco Industry was ready. Tobacco stale politicians chaired one fourth of All committees in the Senate and one third of All committees in the House they chaired every committee that was to consider tobacco legislation. They knew in Advance that the preservation of their product would depend upon Well placed political connections and they planned  said myer. Whose group was formed by the american cancer society the american lung association and the american heart association. The tobacco Industry succeeded because no one was there to Stop it and because the South was dominated by one party the democrats which meant their elected officials tended to have More seniority than members from other parts of the country Myers said. The tobacco Industry also hired Well connected sex politicians to serve As lobbyists. When the surgeon general first issued his report Earl Clements a Long time Friend of Lyndon Johnson and former Senate minority whip was the Industry s chief lobbyist. Today their lobbyists include former senators and congressmen. Myers said the Factor that most clearly distinguishes tobacco from other issues in Congress is the nature and extent to which the members from tobacco states Are preoccupied with defending the crop. Tobacco is an All important All consuming interest or  he said. They will do anything to protect tobacco and sacrifice any other concern or Issue for this purpose. From their perspective their votes on seemingly unrelated issues Aie seen As an Opportunity to Curry favor with another member or group of members a favor which can be called in when  rep. Thomas j. Boley. Rva said he supports the tobacco Industry because it is an important employer in his state and there is no solid evidence that smoke i causes cancer. While there has been a tremendous statistical association Between smoking and cancer and heart problems the fact is we Don t know what causes  said Bliley. Some people who never smoked contract lung cancer and Many people who do smoke never contract it. There s no scientific fact thai smoking causes any of the diseases that Are mentioned on those labels emotionalism is carrying the tide not scientific  or. Harvey v. Finebr8, Dean of the Harvard school of pub c health believes the scientific evidence is so Strong that statements like Bliley s Are nol even Worth generis a mowing Survey  pc the Saxon general inc Toewe Institute wwg4 pm listening to. It is finally time to Slop paying respectful at the specious views of the tobacco Institute s Fineberg. Each time the space shuttle circles Earth news reporters do not Call the Flat Earttie in London for  the tobacco Institute had this to say. We t strongly there has been no causal relationship cigarette smoking and any disease. There at statistical inferences that we accept bul thai synonymous with a Causa  you can make a statistical association bet anything said Ann Browder assistant to the of the tobacco Institute. Because sop Soptei umbrella does that mean it s going to rain. A people use statistics As a bum or drunkard wot Lamppost As a support More than hour Minark. Thomas c. Schelling director of a Institute study of smoking behaviour and policy at Haw University said the evidence linking lung cant cigarette smoking is indubitable. Not Only Doss lung cancer kill 100,000peoi year but most were not in poor health except lung cancer said scholling. Therefore it in l knocking off people who Are permanently Debi gets people with a few Good years  the tobacco Industry s advertising Eam Palgi one of the issues Public health officials object t never before have the cigarette companies advertisements so brazenly gone after our you women said Myers. On a daily basis we ate to cigarette ads which associate smoking with women rugged men sexual social athletic an financial Success and Independence. Advertising is particularly heavy at sports and Rock concerts where Young people Conca and often cigarettes Are passed out free 10p Ages. Regularly they thwart the to advertising the careful placement of billboards in sports Sti which professional sporting events ate being to Fineberg is furious at the advertising Campa Al j. Reynolds tobacco co. Has been runnings 1983. He believes the company is engaging i deceptive advertising Campaign to undermine understanding of the incontrovertible Scienta evidence of tobacco s devastating health Etfer he has called for the Federal Trade Commac move against the company. The Etc has received a petition to that Atwo considering taking action on the matter said c Ellison a spokeswoman 1or the Etc. Fineberg also urges Congress enact Strong restrictions against cigarette advertising. La Vav so during a health policy forum at the Harvard Sci wednesday