PHA-Exchange> Action Alert: Oppose US taxpayer promotion of tobacco - Stop the Etheridge Amendment

[FCA Secretariat]

Action Alert 
Oppose US taxpayer promotion of tobacco
Stop the Etheridge Amendment

Please contact your US Representative NOW urging him/her to 
"oppose Rep. Bob Etheridge's tobacco amendment to The Farm 
Security Act (HR 2646) that would force US taxpayers to fund 
the promotion of tobacco in foreign countries."

House Switchboard 202-225-3121

Background:

Tomorrow afternoon (Thursday, October 4), US Representative 
Bob Etheridge (D-NC) plans to offer an amendment to the Farm 
Security Act of 2001 (HR 2646) on the floor of the US House, which 
would make leaf tobacco eligible for the $200 million Market Access 
Program (MAP) administered by the US Dept. of Agriculture.  MAP 
provides federal funds to help farmers and associations promote 
US agricultural products overseas.

Leaf tobacco has been banned from MAP benefits since 1992.  
However, Rep. Etheridge amended the bill to include leaf tobacco 
during the House Agriculture Committee mark-up in July.  
Subsequently, Rep. Etheridge's provision was removed from the bill 
by a 24-7 vote on an amendment offered by Rep. Earl Blumenauer 
(D-OR) during the House International Relations Committee mark-up 
on September 6. 

To quote the American Lung Association, "Precious taxpayer dollars 
should not be spent to subsidize the sale or promotion of tobacco." 

For your reference, following are a letter from the American Lung 
Association and an Advisory sent to all members of the Congressional
Task Force on Tobacco and Health from Co-Chairs Jim Hansen (R-UT) 
and Marty Meehan (D-MA).  Also, I circulated a Lexington (KY) Herald-
Leader news article about Etheridge's amendment on August 3.

- - - -

American Lung Association letterhead

October 2, 2001

The Honorable Lloyd Doggett
U. S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Representative Doggett:

Thank you for your commitment to protect the world's children from
tobacco.  The American Lung Association shares your concern that
children around the world are prime targets for the tobacco industry.

The World Health Organization calls the worldwide tobacco problem
a global epidemic.  The WHO estimates that tobacco attributable 
deaths will rise to 8.4 million in 2020 and reach 10 million annual
deaths in about 2030.  The United States has an obligation to help
reduce, not add to this number.

The American Lung Association supports measures to eliminate 
government promotion of the export, marketing or sale of tobacco 
products.

The United States government should not be engaged in the promotion
of tobacco abroad or at home.  Our government should send a clear
and consistent message to discourage tobacco use.  It would be 
hypocritical for the federal government to fund programs and research
to reduce the horrific health toll of tobacco and to promote tobacco 
abroad through the Market Access Program.  Precious taxpayer
dollars should not be spent to subsidize the sale or promotion of 
tobacco.

The American Lung Association opposes any amendment to 
H.R. 2646, the Farm Security Act of 2001, which promotes 
tobacco sales and marketing or any other tobacco subsidy.

Sincerely,

John L. Kirkwood
Chief Executive Officer

- - - -

ADVISORY on The FARM SECURITY ACT  of 2001

- STOP THE ETHERIDGE AMENDMENT -

Dear Task Force Members: 

Rep. Etheridge plans to offer an amendment to the Farm Security 
Act of 2001 (HR 2646), which would make leaf tobacco  eligible for 
the Market Access Program (MAP).  As you may know, MAP helps 
farmers and associations market agricultural products overseas.  The 
Co-Chairs of the Tobacco Task Force, Representatives Hansen and 
Meehan, are opposed to the amendment and plan to vote against it.  

Leaf tobacco has been banned from MAP benefits since 1992.  
However, Rep. Etheridge amended the bill to include leaf tobacco 
during the Agriculture Committee mark-up.  Subsequently, Rep. 
Etheridge's provision was removed from the bill by Rep. Blumenauer 
during the International Relations Committee mark-up.

The American Lung Association and the American Society of Clinical 
Oncologists are also opposed to the Etheridge amendment.  To quote 
the ALA, "Precious taxpayer dollars should not be spent to subsidize 
the sale or promotion of tobacco."  Copies of both organizations' letters 
of opposition are attached to this e-mail.

If you would like more information, feel free to contact us.  Thanks. 

The Congressional Task Force on Tobacco and Health

Representative James V. Hansen (R-UT), Co-Chairman
Representative Marty Meehan (D-MA), Co-Chairman

For more information, please contact:
Justin Harding with Rep. Hansen (202-225-0453)
Kate Leeson with Rep. Meehan (202-225-3411)


Belinda Hughes
Coordinator
Framework Convention Alliance (FCA)
www.fctc.org
Tel: (66-2) 278 1828 or (66-2) 278 1829
Fax: (66-2) 278 1830

The Framework Convention Alliance is an alliance of NGOs from around the
world committed to a strong global treaty to control tobacco for the health
of all people.