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OCR Page 1 of 84United States Senate
WASHINGTON, DC 20510
May 13, 1998
Dear Colleague:
On May 18, the Senate is scheduled to begin debate on landmark tobacco legislation. We
have an unprecedented opportunity to save the lives of millions of American children. It is time
for Democrats and Republicans to come together to enact a comprehensive strategy for achieving
an urgent national goal -- a dramatic reduction in teenage smoking.
The facts are clear. Each day we wait, 3,000 children start smoking -- one million each
year. And without effective action, 5 million Americans will die young as a result of tobacco, and
their smoking-related illnesses will impose $200 billion in purely preventable health care costs.
Today, we urge you to consider one important component of an overall action plan for
reducing teen smoking which we believe has not received the attention it deserves -- an
investment in prevention programs designed to help children develop the ability to say no to
tobacco. Scientific studies have demonstrated that early childhood development and constructive
after-school activities can be powerful tools for promoting healthy development and establishing a
strong sense of self-worth, thereby helping significantly to reduce the incidence of teen smoking.
Recently, there has been considerable focus and attention on the importance of the first
three years of life to healthy brain growth and development. It is during these formative years
that the foundation is laid for the self-esteem needed later to make smart choices and to avoid
risky behaviors such as smoking. If we want our children to grow up healthy and able to resist
the allure of smoking, early nurturing and stimulation is essential.
Constructive after-school and summer activities are also closely linked to our public health
goal of reducing teen smoking. Studies show that the 5 million children left home alone during
after-school hours are far more likely to engage in risky behaviors such as smoking, drinking, and
using drugs. After all, these children too often lack structure and support, and as a result are
vulnerable to peer pressure and Big Tobacco's manipulation. In contrast, children who participate
in constructive after-school activities are less likely to smoke and more likely to succeed. This is a
dramatically under-utilized, common sense solution crying out for expansion.
The McCain bill, which passed the Commerce Committee by a vote of 19 to 1, highlighted
the critical importance of these essential prevention programs by designating child care and early
childhood development as a priority area for the investment of tobacco revenues. We now urge
you to support an effort to earmark $20 billion over five years to carry out these anti-smoking
programs through the flexible and well established Child Care and Development Block Grant.
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