Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

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I would like to commend the SUN for accurately reporting PAC contributions made to our congressional delegation by the tobacco industry. I feel it necessary to address two of the claims set forth by our representatives in Washington.

To claim that this issue should be relinquished to the state and local governments is, in part, true. Educational programs, enforcement mechanisms, etc., can be effectively instituted through the state legislature. However, let's not forget two major points.

The first is that nicotine is a drug and should only be regulated by the federal government (as most drugs are). The second point is that if our Nevada delegation wants local entities to regulate or control this problem, they should all make a firm commitment to helping the Nevada rid itself of preemption. The public should be made aware that as of this moment Clark County, Washoe County, and all other Nevada counties are prohibited from enacting any law regarding tobacco that is stronger than the meek one we have today. In essence, our ability to control our local communities was taken away from us during the 1996 legislative session.

If Rep. John Ensign, Rep. Barbara Vucanovich and Sen. Harry Reid are serious about letting the local communities tackle this issue, they should have no problem supporting us during the 1997 session.

We are pleased to say that after meeting with Sen. Richard Bryan in Washington, last week, he has given us a firm promise that he will support us in tackling the issue of tobacco use among teens in the state legislature by getting rid of preemption. We sincerely hope the other members of our congressional delegation will follow suit, regardless of the tobacco contributions they've accepted in the past.

L. Mimosa Jones, American Cancer Society

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