Pubdate: Thu, 08 Nov 2001 Source: Beckley Register-Herald (WV) Copyright: 2001 The Register-Herald Contact: http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?brd86 Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1441 Author: John R Polito PROBE WEAPONS GRADE NICOTINE The flood of politician anthrax concerns is almost laughable. Tobacco inhalation kills over 8,000 Americans each week, 4,000 in middle age. The real death generator isn't isolated particles of anthrax but massive quantities of weapons grade nicotine - earth's most addictive particle. Alcohol addicts 10 percent; cocaine, 15 percent; while nicotine enslaves over 70 percent. They want to quit, but we refuse to teach them how. All illegal drugs combined may claim 200 Americans next week. Most states provide illegal drug users with free local lifetime quality clinic treatment, but if legal nicotine becomes their master, we simply turn our heads and let them die. Why? Almost 90 percent of nicotine users became addicted as youth. The overall fatality rate - for those failing to master the skills necessary to achieve freedom - is 50 percent. Are they worthy of political concern or is it their punishment for messing with nicotine as children? The Taliban government deals in opium, while ours prefers nicotine. Last year America subsidized its growth and collected over $11 billion in nicotine taxes. Our politicians pocketed millions in tobacco industry contributions, and the states continued their partnership under a $246 billion agreement that grants their partner a license to annually addict over 900,000 teens, while killing 430,000 adults. Where is the money really coming from that's being donated to politicians? It's blood money and it stains their souls. What is the actual source of the $246 billion in tobacco settlement funds that politicians are spending on every cause except helping those addicted break free? We must make it morally wrong for politicians to accept tobacco contributions either before or after voting on tobacco revenue or treatment measures. Like the president says, "those harboring terrorists are targets, too." It's time for leaders to lead. John R. Polito Summerville, S.C. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth