Tobacco Documents Online

DRS. RASMUSSEN. HARRISON. KiM, DELAVAN & ROBSON, PC •LODG[TT rROrESS1ONAL O/riC[ BUILDING - SUITE 2!0 GRAND RAPIDS. MICHIGAN 49506 TaLZnHOw[ (416) 459-7278 - RICHARD A. RASMUSSEN. M. 0. ROt[RT W. HARRISON. M. 0. YOUN S. KIM. M. 0. JAMES W. D[LAVAN. M. 0. LARRY J. ROBfON, M. 0. November 4, 1980 TMORAGC BUwoOIIf G.wDloVSCUU.A •uwa[w• 9MDaiCOIt I f I STATEMENT : I am a Senior Thoracic Surgeon practicing in West Michigan since 1946. I have seen the adverse health effects of tobacco on our people, especially in the respiratory, and the cardiovascular system as well as ocher systems. A large part of the work of health care providers consists of caring for these persons- the 1/3 of our adults who smoke. Our health care resources are unduly strained. The disability and early death amongst the smokers, and the economic cost are•a disaster. The cigarette, amongst the various forms in which tobacco, a poisonous substance, is used is the prime cause of the total problem. It is so because of availability, ease of use, and the violation of the respiratory system. There is an incessent promotion.of the product in spite of the obvious and known hazard. This has a great impact, especially on the youth of our country. This drug and, a related smoking product - marijuana - are dangerous, addictive and, once the habit is established, tend to be perpetuated with the resultant gradual development of serious disease. As a concerned physician, it is indeed discouraging to see this trend continue. During the past 34 years, I have also given much time to society and public community work, and was for nearly 6 years a member of our Michigan Air Pollution Control Commission - 1969-1975. In 1973, I sponsored a resolution prohibiting smoking at Committee Meetings. It was passed and the indoor air cleared substantially there, and soon also in other public places. An effective Preventive program is urgently needed in order to improve the health of our citizens and reduction of preventable diseases such as lung cancer. (which alone is expected to account for 100,000 deaths in the U.S. in 1980),other cancers, Emphysema, and cardiovascular and other body diseases; GI intestinal and GU tract, accidents and even fire ("due to careless smoking"). This is in the public interest. The need for a broad program is justified. It demands action by every means possible. These lare the recommendations which I would like to present to the Committee for consideration, and, hopefully, to include in its final recommendatiou to the Governor. 1. EDUCATION - a positive responsible program to expose the hazard and to dis- courage tobacco smoking should be developed. The help of the medical profession is available and should be utilized. The program should include assistance to the profession. 2) A meaningful tax on tobacco products, sales places, and all tobacco vending devices should be imposed. This should be high enough to discourageuse, almost prohibitive. The sales of tobacco, including vending devices, should be outlawed in public places, especially hospitals and any other health care -226- u d I I 1 t L_

STaTEiE.`1T (conc) 2) Cont facilities in this State. The proceeds should be used to finance the Education Program, but more especially directed somehow to care for the tobacco victim, perhaps to assist the Department of Social Services with its expenditure for cancer, emphysema, cardiovascular disease, and the disabled as related to tobacco. This would lessen the cost born by the public - the non-smoker who works longer and pays more. 3) A Restriction on the advertising of tobacco products. The advertising is misleading and anything but the truth, except a small obscure standard requirement - "The Surgeon General Has Determined that Cigarette SmoRing is Dangerous to your Health". There is no other suggestion of the dreadful effedts of prolonged tobacco use. The distractive, unsightly billboards adorning our often beautiful Michigan roadways should be outlawed. Since the advertising of tobacco products was eliminated on Television, the industry has diverted more millions to the news media in promotion of tobacco products. A few newspapers refuse to accept such advertising but most others use the revenue to print excessive paper which adds to our solid waste problem and serves little useful purpose. Outright elimination on Michigan publications should be considered as it was on television, .perhaps coordinated with a national program. -~ ,rL. .~.. ~ G\ Richard A. Rasmussen, M.D. 1900 WEalthy St., SE Grand Rapids, Mich. 49506 { -227- S(/ \-_