Congress evades tobacco issue

The tide of change in enforcing tighter regulation on tobacco companies seems to be ebbing, if Congress has anything to do with it.

The Associated Press reported that Rep. Tom Bliley, R.-Va., said that Congress is pretty much hands-off in the battle anti-tobacco forces are fighting against cigarette companies influence over underage smokers.

Bliley heads the congressional committee which serves as the Food and Drug Administration watchdog. He claims that the courts will be the only deciding factor in whether the FDA can put a stop to the accessibility of and exposure to cigarettes to minors.

But if that is true then why are companies like Phillip Morris so eager to aid congressmen financially or lobby to get their point across.

Those who are pushing for tighter control over tobacco companies are lobbying for stores to check identification for buyers who look under 26.

These anti-tobacco groups have begun broadcasting advertisements which show children being lured in to tobacco companies by giving them items which have the Marlboro insignia on them. It also showed children hanging out purchasing and smoking cigarettes.

Associated Press reported that Walker Merryman, the chairman for the Tobacco Institute, claims that he is sure that the courts will dispute the FDA's authority over tobacco and that the advertisements are "puzzling."

What is puzzling is why there is such an effort by Congress to accept responsibility. If the FDA cannot regulate this, Bliley can slip out of any blame. He is only showing where is real loyalties lie. And it is not with the children.