wfn.org | Tobacco Tax "Should Support Child Health"

[CAROL_FOUKE.parti@ecunet.org (CAROL FOUKE)]

National Council of the Churches of Christ in the 
USA
Contact: NCC News, 212-870-2227
Internet: news@ncccusa.org

Statement of the National Council of the Churches of 
Christ in the USA
by
The Rev. Dr. Joan Brown Campbell, General Secretary
Re: Act for Smokefree and Healthy Children (S.1492)
Feb. 3, 1998, Washington, D.C.*

 The protracted struggle with the tobacco 
industry now appears to be drawing to a close as a 
settlement has taken form.  For years Americans have 
pondered whether this industry would ever 
acknowledge and be accountable for the illness, 
injury and death associated with their products.  

At last those questions may be answered in the 
affirmative as the tobacco industry prepares to pay 
out in settlement a form of reparations to the 
American people.  Now, the weight of moral 
obligation is placed upon the Congress of the United 
States to determine whether there will be a "peace 
dividend" for America's young as the tobacco wars 
come to an end.

 The National Council of the Churches of Christ 
in the USA joins with the great majority of the 
American people in urging that revenues from the 
tobacco settlement be applied first to the health 
and well-being of America's children.  Children and 
youth have long been perceived by tobacco interests 
as an inviting and attractive potential market for 
their deadly wares.  These same children and youth 
should not need now to fear the indifference of 
their own government.

 Churches in sacred rites and sacramental acts 
baptize and/or dedicate the youngest of our citizens 
and therein pledge the whole community's commitment 
to protect, nurture and safeguard our children.  It 
is from these deeply held beliefs in the 
responsibility of the not so young to our children 
that we make bold to offer our support and prayers 
to these initiatives today. We commend Congressional 
leadership for the introduction of legislation that 
puts children first, improving early childhood 
opportunities, increasing the quality of child care 
and promoting after school activities which will 
bring our children smokefree and healthy into their 
adult years. 

It is our hope that an increase in cigarette 
costs serves to discourage smoking in every segment 
of our society.  We celebrate these initiatives, 
even while looking toward the day that we as a 
society place upon children's health such priority 
that it is cared for as a first order of business in 
federal budget building. It is in that day that all 
our children might live the lives for which they 
were created.

-end-

* The Rev. Dr. Eileen W. Lindner, NCCCUSA Associate 
General Secretary, presented Dr. Campbell's 
statement at a news conference on Capitol Hill this 
morning (February 3, 1998). Organized by the 
Children's Defense Fund in support of the principles 
expressed in the Act for Smokefree and Healthy 
Children (S.1492), the news conference also included 
the participation of the YWCA and several members of 
U.S. Congress.
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