Council Endorses Tobacco Question

Declaring that higher cigarette prices will reduce smoking among young people, the City Council last night voted unanimously in favor of a state referendum that would raise taxes on cigarettes.

Referendum Question #1 on the November 3 ballot proposes to add a tax of 25 cents to every cigarette package sold in Massachusetts. The revenue will be used by local government for health education.

"It really impacts the health of all our citizens and particularly the young people, who might not go into smoking [because of the increased costs]," said Councillor William H. Walsh.

Several councillors said the purpose of the resolution--which asks voters to vote "yes" on the referendum--was to fight against the advertising campaign of the tobacco lobby.

Walsh said the tobacco lobby has already spent $10 million campaigning against the measure in Massachusetts.

"Can people buy an election with money they have raised off selling a product which kills people?" asked Councillor Edward N. Cyr.

The council resolution, proposed by Councillor Francis H. Duehay '55, cited the U.S. Surgeon General's contention that price increases are the most direct way to reduce smoking, "particularly among young, first-time smokers."

`Harmful Social Norms'

In discussion prior to voting, Cyr also spoke of the financial costs of smoking that come from increased health insurance rates. "These are the costs of providing medical care to those who are debilitated by smoking," he said.

Duehay submitted the resolution to the council last Thursday, and all council members added their names to it prior to the meeting.

Immediately before the meeting, several council members and members of the school committee--which also supported the measure--held a press conference endorsing the resolution.

"There are certain things that are social norms which are very harmful. Nicotine is one," said Mayor Kenneth E. Reeves '72. "People have to realize that they are responsible for their own health."