THE TRUTH IS BURNED IN THE TOBACCO WARS

Politics makes for selective indignation over health hazards

I am rapidly becoming convinced that when an issue assumes political
status,truth and reality are immediately relegated to the proverbial back
burner. Take the present tobacco issue as a case in point.

Over the last 10 years, for reasons unknown, I believe American tobacco
companies have taken an unfair legal thrashing from the U.S. Justice
Department. With all the attention the tobacco industries have received, one
could easily think the cigarette smoking is the world's worst vice.

However, despite the many social and health problems associated with
alcoholism, the alcoholic beverage industry has gone relatively untouched.
It is not a secret that alcohol abuse and its related problems are a major
concern in today's society. According to the Columbia University College Of
Physicians and Surgeons' Complete Home Medical Guide, "Alcohol use is
involved in: one-half of all murders, accidental death, and suicides;
one-third of all drowning and boating and aviation deaths; one-half of all
crimes and almost half of all fatal automobile accidents." Nevertheless, the
government's major focus seems to remain fixated on tobacco products.

In 1964, the Surgeon General released a report concluding smoking caused
lung cancer. This announcement put both the tobacco companies and the public
on notice that consumption of tobacco products is a potential health hazard.
Following numerous anti-smoking court decisions throughout the '90s, in
September 1999, the Justice Department sued the tobacco industry to recover
billions of government dollars spent on smoking-related health care,
accusing cigarette-makers of a "coordinated campaign of fraud and deceit."
During these same years the alcoholic beverage industry was left alone to
run its business as it so chooses. This was an unfair and disingenuous
political decision.

About 25 years ago, it seemed like almost everyone smoke. Smokers ruled the
roost. One could smoke almost any place and anywhere without any legal or
social repercussions. Those days no longer exist. Within the last 15 years,
the smoking numbers have fallen drastically.

As the Virginia Slim cigarette commercials used to say, "we've come a long
way baby" in a relatively short time. This is good. However, again, I cannot
understand, given all the problems associated with alcohol abuse, why the
alcoholic beverage industry has been allowed to escape this same scrutiny.

The anti-smoking groups constantly emphasize the health hazards associated
with smoking - that smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, cancer of
the esophagus, larynx, lip, mouth, pharynx, tongue, kidney and pancreas. But
health problems linked to tobacco use pale in contrast to the myriad health
and social problems associated with alcohol abuse.

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, "heavy alcohol use
can affect nearly every organ system and every aspect of a patient's life."
Alcohol causes diseases such as cirrhosis of the liver and exacerbates
symptoms in many other diseases, e.g., diabetes, pancreatic diseases,
cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and neurological disorders.

Alcohol consumption is dangerous to unborn children. Pregnant mothers are
constantly warned by their physicians of the negative effects of drinking
while pregnant.

In addition, alcohol is implicated in many social and psychological
problems, e.g. child abuse or neglect, divorce, spousal abuse, loss of child
custody, sexual dysfunction, spontaneous abortion, depression and
anit-social personality disorders. Employment problems, e.g. - excessive
tardiness, inability to concentrate, decreased competence, accidents,
injuries and chronic unemployment are linked to alcoholism. Additionally,
there are numerous legal problems associated with drinking - arrests,
traffic violations, motor vehicle accidents, crimes, sexual offenses and
violent offenses.

The anti-smokers attacked Joe Camel and the Marlboro man for attempting to
lure young people into this awful habit.

How could the tobacco companies stoop so low? Has anyone noticed beer
commercials lately? One would think that alcohol is the key to a young
person's success and happiness.

If I had to make a choice, I would much rather my son or daughter abuse
tobacco than alcohol. How many automobile accidents every year are
attributed to tobacco abuse? How many individuals lose their jobs, abuse
their kids, beat their wives, wreck their cars, destroy their families and
go to jail because of smoking too many cigarettes?

I am not an apologist for the tobacco companies. I neither smoke nor drink -
never have. I consider both smoking and drinking to be vices. But I am
disturbed over how politics plays with the truth. Both cigarette smoking and
alcohol abuse are health hazards and the public should be warned equally
about the dangers of both. To single out and punish one is deceitful and
immoral.

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