532 



They cannot do that if they are going to be addicted to your prod- 

 uct. And that is what your product does, it addicts people to some- 

 thing they cannot get rid of later in life. It deprives them of the 

 reason that otherwise would come to bear on a decision to make 

 a consumer choice. 



So we are really not talking about consumer choices, a phrase 

 which seems to weave itself through all of your written testimony. 

 We are really talking about the inability of consumers to make a 

 choice after they try your product for very long because they are 

 hooked. I yield back my time. 



Mr. Waxman. Thank you, Mr. Bryant. Mr. Kreidler? 



Mr. Kreidler. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to thank you 

 for holding these hearings so that we can hear from the tobacco in- 

 dustry. Tobacco kills the equivalent of the population of an entire 

 congressional district every year. As a health care professional, I 

 take a considerable interest in this heavy toll that we're taking 

 right now that affects our public health, our medical system, and 

 families. 



We've seen enough of what has to be labeled as dodging, denial, 

 and dissembling by the industry. And it's clear that it is time to 

 learn the truth, to learn what toxins from cigarettes do to people, 

 how much nicotine is in cigarettes, and what other chemicals do to 

 people. It's time for full disclosure. 



Aiid, Mr. Chairman, I commend you for holding these hearings 

 so that we can get to the bottom of this and find out what's really 

 happening to the American people. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



Mr. Waxman. Thank you very much, Mr. Kreidler, 



[The prepared statement of Hon. Gary Franks follows:] 



Opening Statement of Hon. Gary A. Franks 



Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Today's hearings are an important part of moving the 

 whole tobacco issue out in the pubhc's eye for review. Tobacco use is an important 

 subject, and when the pubUc interest is concerned it should be reviewed. 



We all know there is a great deal of interest on this topic. However, there is also 

 a great deal of conflicting data available for public consumption. But charges and 

 counter-charges will not get us to the facts, that is why these hearings play such 

 an important role in the tobacco debate. 



I believe the tobacco industry should be scrutinized for their actions, if they are 

 not in the public's best interest. But by the same token, the arguments against the 

 tobacco industry should be put to the same test. I would like to see all of the studies 

 thoroughly reviewed and see if the conclusions all hold up to the same 

 scrutinization. 



As I understand it, the primary issues here are nicotine and its alleged manipiila- 

 tion and addiction, tobacco ingredients, tobacco's appeal to youth, and tobacco's im- 

 pact on health. 



Mr. Chairman, we need more facts on these issues before we start voting on any 

 legislation regarding these issues. 



Routinely, I request my staff to look into the various claims that cross my desk 

 in the form of "Dear Colleague" letters. Many of these letters claim that tobacco use 

 causes all sorts of problems. Many times, my staff learns that the information in 

 these "Dear Colleague" letters lead you to conclusions that are exaggerations, or 

 perhaps, distortions of the facts. Mr. Chairman, these distortions should only compel 

 you to insure a fair and impartial hearing today. 



A recent study from the Department of Health and Human Services confirms that 

 the youth usage of smokeless tobacco products is currently declining and continues 

 to go down. I would not of reached that conclusion from the information that has 

 passed over my desk recently sent out by my colleagues here in the House of Rep- 

 resentatives. 



