wfn.org | Church and Society joins call to president for tobacco control

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

legislation

April 23, 1998	Contact: Linda Green*(615)742-5470*Nashville, Tenn.
10-21-71B{244}

By United Methodist News Service

The United Methodist Board of Church and Society has joined a
Washington-based coalition on smoking in asking President Clinton and
Congress to protect children by passing tobacco control legislation.

The Interreligious Coalition on Smoking or Health made the call after
religious communities nationwide learned in early April that the five
largest tobacco companies were dropping their commitments to reduce
smoking. The companies said their previous commitments to the effort
were "dead" and broke off talks with Congress over legislation that
would affect the industry.

The coalition represents Christians, Jews and Muslims, and counts the
Board of Church and Society among its members.

The group said it was disturbed that the tobacco companies had attacked
Clinton and Congress because of  their efforts to protect children "from
an addictive drug." Calling nicotine the nation's "most powerful
killer," the coalition urged the president and Congress "to defend the
children of America against the onslaught of a powerful and arrogant
industry by passing comprehensive tobacco legislation in this session of
Congress."

The companies oppose the legislation, which would cost them $516 billion
during the next 25 years and would not provide the protection they seek
from future lawsuits.

United Methodist News Service
(615)742-5470
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