Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, August 17, 1995 TAG: 9508170047
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: B8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By GREG EDWARDS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
Clinton's "heavy-handed regulatory approach" to teen smoking may cause teens to smoke more by enticing them to do something forbidden by the government, said C. Wayne Ashworth, president of the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation.
"We're wanting to know if the Food and Drug Administration is moving toward this regulatory action as a politically correct means to get its foot in the door to totally regulate tobacco out of existence," said Ashworth, whose organization has the largest farmer-representation in the state.
Also in reaction to Clinton's proposal, Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Abingdon, said the agency can't do the job it's already charged with - much less regulate tobacco - because of overwork and understaffing.
A voluntary approach involving government and the tobacco companies to curb teenage smoking is better, Boucher said, because any regulatory effort will be tied up for years in court challenges. Boucher's Southwest Virginia constituents include many farmers of burley tobacco.
On Monday, Rep. L.F. Payne, D-Nelson County, who represents many of the state's flue-cured tobacco growers, said he planned to introduce legislation next month to prevent the FDA from acting against tobacco.
Boucher said any effort against the regulations should be coordinated with Rep. Thomas Bliley, R-Richmond, chairman of the House Commerce Committee.
by CNB