Tobacco Documents Online

Statement by William J. Hblayter Legi:slati.vz Director International Associationof Machinists and Aerospace Workers f March 25a 1982

As director of Legislation and Pb1~.itical Action for one of the nation!.'s our views on HR-5653' in~ the record. Briefly, this bill is designed to '` largest andi most diversified unions I appreciate this opportunity to place ..~ further discourage constanption of' cigarettes not only in the United States We include in our membership a rn:araber of' skilled maintenance machinists . ,y.. but in every country toIwhich American-made cigarettes are expected. . . ....~~a~~~ in the tobacco industry. But lest you think we oppose Ht: 5653' on this grouzrd' let me note that our'far more sizeable cnembership~ in defense industties has not' pteciuded our opposition to the further buildup of docsnsday wea, armed forces. We are not opposed to~ govern-nent regulation uhere govprnment regulation , is needed' and appropriate. We would, in fact; welcome even mi-re. regulationI of safety and health hazards in~America',s work places. We would' welcotne tighter governnent control of all the toxic substances ._ being poured by polluting irx3ustries into the air we breathe and' the water, . . . • .. . _... . . ;eYlii1 There are many kinds of tia.z.ard's,, risks, perils and dangers against . power and the perils inherent in the disposal of' nuclear waste. <` We would welcome more government concern with tI-z hazards of nuclear . . .__ ,..~ we drink. - which indivi;duuI:s cannot protect themselves. For dangers such~ as these . governznent regulation is both appropriate and necessary. And a free peoplef willingly accept the restrictions on individual liberty that such regulati I ocY' imposes.

Bcit a free society shoul.d' not atternpt to protect every citizen agaa:nst:- every real or imagined danger. A free people maist be free to ma1'ce choices,~' to even take certain risks, so long as they do so with tfreir eyes open By this time every adult in America has had ampLe opportunity to become aware of ' the dangers of' smoking., To the drunbeat of continuous 1 warnings over tthe past two decades, millions have voluntarily stopped smoking. Other millions have chosen not to start. That is their free choice. But it is respectfully submitted that if it were the only r.rioice, .. ~ ~ . .v . ~ ~f~ .. . ' . . .,- . _ ~' .. it would be anything but free. Y Govercment attempts to deny free choice to adults are self-defeating: Cver the long rm the prohibition of' alcoholic beverages by the" 18th ." Y Amendment did not decrease consunption of alcoholic beverages ,,:-:In fact, it stf:mul.ated new, sources of demand,, especially among wcmen and, ?r;~ people. Moreover, when goverrsrient tries to coerce ali]l aciIts into a:.: r mode of behavior dictated by the desires or pre,7udices of sorne,, it - :,- . - becomes vutnerable to disrespect.and ridicule or worse, as in the case of' prohibition, corruption at every level. Government has no crore ri:g to try to stop all adults from smoking (because it is thought to bebad for health) than it has to try to make all adults eat yogurt (because itT is thought to be good for healtli)~. We recognize that HR-5653 was drafted for the best of moti:ves. We r*~- ackr~owl~edge ttie sincerity of those who support . such l:egislati:on. But w~e ~ beFieve our opposition is based on equ l~ly good~ andi sincere reasoning. Freedhm means the right to make reasonable choices., T~iis prs-nci:ple.. M ~ ~ .: V.~ ~. !.. ., ~r.p3.:^.~ lJ. seems more supportive of the personall liberties we cherishthan the' ~' r` A , proposition inherent in HR:5653' - namely that'goverrnent nust,wra . ~ Ut us all in a protective cocoon of' regulation of personal habits-'to -'. _ .t~,