ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, March 25, 1997 TAG: 9703250100
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-5 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: RICHMOND
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
Both of the likely top gubernatorial candidates say Virginia shouldn't sue to recover the medical costs of smokers.
Democratic Lt. Gov. Don Beyer said Monday that the state's Republican attorney general was wrong to link Virginia with the tobacco industry in a lawsuit challenging new federal tobacco regulations.
Attorney General Jim Gilmore, Beyer's likely GOP foe in this fall's governor's race, joined the cigarette makers' lawsuit challenging the Food and Drug Administration's effort to crack down on underage smoking.
``We have to do all that's in our power to protect children from tobacco,'' Beyer said after a speech to the Virginia Chamber of Commerce. ``What that litigation does is fight the best national attempts to keep tobacco from kids.''
Gilmore said he did not intend to withdraw from the suit, despite the Liggett Group's confession last week that tobacco is addictive and that their tests suggest it causes cancer. Liggett, the smallest of the major tobacco companies, made the admission in a settlement it reached with 22 states who are trying to recover the costs of treating smoking-related ailments from the tobacco giants.
Virginia joined the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Greensboro, N.C., on Nov. 13. Gilmore noted that tobacco, a $5 billion annual industry in the state, is crucial to Virginia's economy.
``We need to be very concerned about the working people. ... We have to worry about our farming community in Southside Virginia and make sure they have the ability, like they always have, to make an honest living,'' he said.
He said he favors aggressive state efforts to curb tobacco sales to anyone under age 18 and noted that he pushed legislation authorizing Alcoholic Beverage Control agents to enforce the law.
While Beyer viewed Gilmore's participation in the FDA suit as wrongheaded, he said Virginia should not join the 22 states who are suing to recover tobacco-related health costs.
``The great dilemma there is if we sue tobacco companies for decisions adults have freely made, we open the box for all kinds of litigation,'' Beyer said. ``Will we next be suing companies that sell alcohol, that sell sugar, that sell fat?''
Beyer and Gilmore also clashed over taxes.
Gilmore told the Chamber that Beyer has flip-flopped on whether he would be receptive to a tax increase, but refused to renounce new taxes himself. Gilmore said no one has convinced him that a tax increase is needed, but he would not promise not to raise taxes. He said he would address the question after he formally announces his candidacy.
Beyer, who announced his candidacy a week ago, said he has no plans to raise taxes but would not preclude the possibility.
Both candidates touted their business credentials in their speeches to the Chamber. Gilmore said his entrepreneurial experience came from opening a law office with two other lawyers early in his career. Beyer, who owns Volvo and Range Rover dealerships, said he would be the first businessman-governor in 40 years.
The chamber does not endorse candidates.
LENGTH: Medium: 65 linesby CNB