Rep. Henry Waxman wants White House support for worldwide action (and taxes) against smoking

Nando Times-AP ^ | Mar. 15, '02 | By NANCY ZUCKERBROD

[jmp702]

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Rep. Henry Waxman wants White House support for worldwide action against smoking

Copyright © 2002 AP Online

By NANCY ZUCKERBROD, Associated Press WASHINGTON (March 15, 2002 3:44 p.m. EST) - Rep. Henry Waxman, a leading critic of the tobacco industry, is urging the White House to support worldwide mandatory cigarette taxes and an international ban on advertising appealing to children.

U.N.-sponsored talks on producing an international agreement on reducing cigarette-related deaths resume Monday in Geneva.

Waxman, D-Calif., wants Bush to reconsider his earlier decision to roll back the Clinton administration's positions.

"Without improvements in the U.S. position, a unique opportunity to control the enormous worldwide toll of tobacco consumption may be lost," Waxman writes in an opinion piece in next week's edition of the New England Journal of Medicine.

Waxman wants the administration to back a proposal requiring all countries signing the treaty to impose taxes on tobacco products and ensure those taxes increase over time to keep pace with inflation.

Assistant Surgeon General Kenneth Bernard, who heads the U.S. delegation to the U.N. talks, said the United States is committed to a strong treaty - but said taxes can't be authorized by treaty.

"Taxes are really the purview of our Congress," Bernard said Thursday. "We really can't negotiate taxes in Geneva in the context of the convention."

Waxman says the administration continues to take many of the positions of the nation's largest cigarette manufacturer, Philip Morris USA, but also praised the administration for abandoning some views health groups opposed.

One example was the decision to support rather than fight a proposal that warning labels on cigarettes be printed in the native language of the country of sale.

Waxman said he is upset the administration supports a ban on advertising that "targets" children, rather than "appeals" to children, which is what health groups prefer and the Clinton administration backed.

"The words 'appeals to' is way too broad, because literally anything could appeal to a 17-year-old," Bernard said, adding that the U.S. delegation objected to proposals that could be viewed as infringing on commercial free speech rights.

He also said he believes the issue is moot, since negotiators said at the last meeting they would seek an advertising restriction aimed at all age groups.

The treaty is supposed to be completed next year.

The World Health Organization estimates smoking and tobacco-related disease kills 4 million people per year worldwide. Deaths are expected to reach 10 million per year by 2030, with 70 percent of them in developing countries.

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[jmp702]

Waxman needs to find a good hobby or two to help fill his time

[KQQL]

Waxman needs a electric shock...

[Dan from Michigan]

If I ever met Waxman, I'd light up a stogie and blow the smoke right at his giant nose.

And then I'd tell him I'm buying a .50 caliber...because this is America, and I'm a country guy that loves to piss off cityfolk like him.

[mystery-ak]

I need a cigarette....excuse me while I have a smoke or is it still legal to smoke in my own home?

[Howlin]

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[Howlin]

ROFLMAO.......I'll join you!

[concerned about politics]

a unique opportunity to control the enormous worldwide toll of tobacco consumption

You can tell this guy is a Democrat. He has decided to rule the world for us. Hail Hitler!

[jmp702]

Smoking in your own home, eh? Well, that's gonna cost you. Hold on a minute while I look up the tax on that...

[concerned about politics]

PS...If people say enough and quit smoking, the goverment wouldn't get their huge tax revinue. The federal goverment would go bust. They should be carefull what they ask for. They might just get it!

[KS Flyover]

Stick your mandatory cigarette taxes up your nose, Waxpig!

[jmp702]

Don't hold back. Let it go...:)

[concerned about politics]

I need a cigarette....excuse me while I have a smoke or is it still legal to smoke in my own home?

No. I can smell it from here. I'm suing!! Quick, I need a liberal trial lawyer!!

[mystery-ak]

come a little closer, so you can get the full effect....I want you to have a strong case...LOL

[Consort]

[Miss Marple]

Yeah, Waxman, you're certain to get a lot of help on ANYTHING after the GAO stunt. If I were President Bush, I wouldn't even answer you.

This is just nothing but a press release from a MINORITY member of the House. What losers those people are! They never have anything important to discuss, just these little "issues" they think will win them approval from their special interests.

Lord help me, but I despise these people.

[Howie66]

Ol' Nostrilitis Waxman! Typical democRAT....never seen an opportunity to stick the "government hand" into someone else's pocket, legally or not!

Personally, I'd like to punch the sucka in the face...I'm just afraid that my entire fist and arm would get permanently lodged in one of his nostrils! How would I 'splain that to my kids (much less my wife)?

[concerned about politics]

come a little closer, so you can get the full effect....I want you to have a strong case...LOL

OK. Cough, cough, I'm gonna be rich, rich, rich! I can see it all now.( BTW, got an extra? Off the record, of course.)

[jmp702]

Hah! We need a coupla cases of that.

[mystery-ak]

smoke'm if ya got em!
I wonder if my homeowners insurance will cover this lawsuit?

[Nix 2]

Waxman is the ONLY American who holds a franchise on the sales of CHEAP CHINESE cigarettes in the US. This would make him a billionaire. Rush Limbaugh CAN confirm this.

[dagney]

I like to smoke! I like the taste and I like the smell of a freshly lit cigarette. And it satisfies my habit of hand to mouth syndrome. Not to mention the addiction to nicotine.

However, I am just about to the point of quitting this expensive nasty habit because of the money grubbing politicos. I feel like a victim of daylight robbery. The only way to stop it is to say NO, no more money from me.

I guess I'll stop buying girl scout cookies when they start taxing cookies!

[MotleyGirl70]

If I ever met Waxman, I'd light up a stogie and blow the smoke right at his giant nose.

Ding, ding, ding, ding. We have a winner folks. The funniest post for March 15, 2002.

ROTFLMAO!! :)

[flushed with pride]

My God, as huge as Waxpig's nostrils are, someone could light up a stogie in Brazil and this knothead could smell it all the way from D.C.
He's equipped with olfactory receptors with the range of a spy satellite.

[MotleyGirl70]

Okay, now I may have to "bookmark" this, so I can refer back to it when I need a really good laugh.

[Howie66]

And I wouldn't be surprised to find out that they have seen more than a little "nose-candy", either.

[flushed with pride]

That's gotta be what cooked his brain!

[Joe 6-pack]

"Hey, wax-man...tax this cigarette...I dare ya'..."

[concerned about politics]

However, I am just about to the point of quitting this expensive nasty habit because of the money grubbing politicos.

Hope you don't like twinkies as much. They're next. It's social engeneering.
They're forcing us to comply to their utopian ideals via our pocketbooks. "Our health" is the ONLY reason they're taking our money. :-P

[Howie66]

When asked....Waxman haughtly replied; "Brains?!? I don't need no steenking brains!!"

[MissAmericanPie]

With nose holes the size of the Grand Canyon I'm sure smoking really gets to him. He should try turning blue for something to do for a change.

[nopardons]

He had a brain ? He looks like a microcephalic. Opppps, even THEY have brains; sorry.

[sheik yerbouty]

He has one..he's a wanker.

[Right_in_Virginia]

Does Henry know medication could help him?

What a jacka$$!

[kcvl]

I take it you're against this?! ROFLOL!!!

[groanup]

Does anyone here agree with me? I am extremely concerned that this idiot can even get an audience with this insane proposal.

[Diojneez]

Message to President George W. Bush: Please ignore any request you get from a Democrat. They do not want to work with you; they want only to destroy you. Ignorance is bliss, therefore ignore them for greater bliss.

[Hamza01]

Yeah. Forget the war on terror. Fight the real enemy. Tobacco.

Think I'll light my dunhill now.

[kcvl]

Ted Sioeng’s Tobacco Empire

This information was first presented last November on FORCES by Norman Kjono in an article: President Clinton and Chinese Tobacco. With the release of the Congressional Report on Campaign Finances, many insights into Sioeng's Tobacco Empire has been exposed. Sioeng’s main business is the manufacture and distribution of Hongtashan (Red Pagoda Mountain) cigarettes. Hongtashan is the most popular brand of cigarettes in the PRC, and the third largest-selling brand in the world. The China National Tobacco Corporation is a state monopoly that manages the tobacco industry and oversees the business operations and factories within the tobacco rich provinces of Yunnan, Guizhou, and Guengxi.

Sioeng established operations in Singapore for the distribution of Hongtashan cigarettes, and in April 1997, for their manufacture outside of China. Sioeng associate and DNC contributor, Kent La, President of Loh Sun International, is the U.S. distributor of Hongtashan cigarettes.

The following cigarette and tobacco-related businesses which are owned or controlled by Sioeng, his family members, and business associates

Chinois Tobacco International Co., Pte., Ltd. is listed in the Singapore Companies Registry and appears on Sioeng’s business card as part of his S.S. Group. Sioeng serves as the company’s chairman

Worldwide Golden Leaf, Ltd. was incorporated in the British Virgin Islands in July 1993. Ted Sioeng and associate Bruce Cheung serve as two of the company’s three directors. The company lay dormant until April 1997, when it entered into a joint venture agreement with the Yuxi Hongta Tobacco Group to manufacture Hongtashan cigarettes in Singapore and export them to Southeast Asia and the United States In addition, two Chinese state owned tobacco companies agreed to supply Worldwide Golden Leaf with tobacco leaves for sale in North America and Europe

Goldlion Tobacco International, Ltd. is another company listed on Sioeng’s business card as part of his S.S. Group. It is a joint venture with the Chinese state-owned cigarette factory in Hainan Province to manufacture and distribute Goldlion brand cigarettes

Panda Belize Tobacco, Inc. appears on Sioeng’s business card as part of his S.S. Group. However, Belize Panda Industry, Ltd. is listed by the Belize General Company Registry as a separate entity. This listing also shows Sioeng as an officer, director, and 50% owner. Sioeng’s U.S. business partner, Glenville Stuart, is the only other officer, director, and is a 50% owner of the company.

Asia Indonesia Tobacco Utama, Inc. appears on Sioeng’s business card as part of the S.S. Group. In October 1995, under the name of Asia Tobacco International Indonesia, PT.,
The Cambodia Cigarette Factory venture began in 1995 as Evans International Tobacco, a partnership with Ted Sioeng and Hoa Bang Huynh. Sioeng has reportedly continued building the cigarette factory in Cambodia with Tandijono and Theng Bunma, a Cambodian tycoon and suspected drug trafficker with close ties to the Cambodian government.

Clearly, Ted Sioeng is one of the most influential, and powerful tobacco barons within the Asian world.

[Nix 2]

Get ready. They are coming after roller coasters next. Say they cause brain damage and need to not be so, ummm, thrilling. The Libs want to tax you into misery. Next, you will be paying a *happy* tax and be fined for smiling.

[groanup]

"Waxman wants the administration to back a proposal requiring all countries signing the treaty to impose taxes on tobacco products and ensure those taxes increase over time to keep pace with inflation."

Indexed taxes. Who'd thunk it? Henry is rapidly becoming the most dangerous politician to have a speaking part.

[Max McGarrity]

I'm too goldarn tired and irritated to even deal with this tonite. See y'all tomorrow. Same time, same station.

[Nix 2]

Clearly, we now understand why Waxman wouldn't allow ANY Congressional investigation of China Bill.

[kcvl]

As a followup, once the scandal broke, Waxman attempted to use his influence within the investigating committee to cover the tracks of these illegal contributions. Ironic is Waxman tried to block testimony of Kent La before the committee. When have you ever heard of Waxman turning down the chance to grill a Tobacco CEO?

Kent La (Chinese name, Lo Wen Zheng) - President of Loh Sun International, importer of Hongtashan cigarettes, and close business associate of Ted Sioeng. He contributed $50,000 to the DNC. La originally asserted the fifth amendment privilege against self incrimination but has been granted immunity by the Committee.

Chu Shijian - Former manager of the state owned Yuxi Cigarette Factory in Yunnan Province, who rose to became chairman of the Hongta Tobacco Group in 1995. Through Chu, Ted Sioeng was awarded lucrative distribution rights for exporting Hongtashan cigarettes. In January 1998, the Communist Party of China expelled Chu for public corruption and charged him and several family members with accepting bribes and embezzling about $10 million.

[kcvl]

A major figure in the Committee's investigation into possible foreign contributions is Ted Sioeng. Chairman Burton has described Mr. Sioeng as "an Indonesian-born businessman who travels on a Belize passport, suspected by committee members of working, along with his family, on behalf of the Chinese Government interests in the United States." Mr. Sioeng's business interests include the export of cigarettes manufactured by the Red Pagoda company, which is owned by the Chinese government, to the United States and other countries. According to Chairman Burton, Red Pagoda cigarettes are "a convenient way to get money into this country" and could be "used as a vehicle for the Chinese government to funnel money into the United States."

News reports have suggested that law enforcement authorities suspect that Mr. Sioeng may have ties to the Chinese government. For example, Newsweek reported that "The FBI suspects that Chinese may have used Sioeng as a 'cutout' -- a front man to make illegal contributions appear legitimate." Similarly, the Washington Post reported that law enforcement authorities "had credible intelligence information indicating [Sioeng] acted on behalf of China to influence U.S. elections with campaign contributions."

[kcvl]

Etherzone Online 8/26/99 Bob Momenteller "…While demonizing anyone who took campaign contributions from US cigarette manufacturers, Waxman was benefiting from a Chinese government-owned tobacco company. Ted Sioeng, a Chinese intelligence operative, has the exclusive distribution rights to Pagoda Red Mountain cigarettes in the US. This Chinese government-owned cigarette company, is one of the largest tobacco companies in the world. Sioeng, who gave over $400,000 to the DNC, is known be friends with Mochtar and James Riady. The Riadys who are also part of Beijing's intelligence network, own the Lippo Group. The communist Chinese used Sioeng's cigarette distributorship as a conduit to funnel money into the 1996 elections…. Sioeng is well known to Waxman and the surrounding southern California districts. Sioeng, went on to purchase a Chinese newspaper in Monterey Park that proliferates Beijing's propaganda and uses it as another intelligence gathering pipe line. In the1996 Buddhist temple affair with Al Gore, we see Ted Sioeng sitting beside his honor. Early on in the Chinagate investigation, Kent La, a close business associate of Sioeng, wanted tell all to the Burton committee. Waxman was the one who lead the way in successfully blocking any immunity agreement for this key witness thus keeping him from freely testifying. Why? …"

[kcvl]

"It seems very clear that most of this half a million dollars donated by Ted Sioeng and his associates came from profits of selling Chinese cigarettes around the world. Kent La is the one individual that could tell us if this is true or not.

"I do not understand why my colleagues want to keep this witness from testifying and protect a major Chinese cigarette company, especially when the gentleman from California (Editor's Note: Rep. Waxman, D-CA) who has been such a forceful advocate of reducing smoking here in the United States is one of those voting against immunity.

[kcvl]

53 persons who have either asserted the fifth amendment or fled the United States to avoid testifying are former Associate Attorney General Webster Hubbell; former White House aide Mark Middleton; longtime Clinton friends John Huang, Charlie Trie, and James and Mochtar Riady; and Chinese businessman Ted Sieong and 11 members of his family;

Kent La, the United States distributor of Communist Chinese cigarettes, has direct and relevant information about illegal foreign money contributions made to the Democratic National Committee by Ted Sioeng; and

Henry Waxman says: I have heard incredible statements by some of my Republican colleagues when they talk about money from the Chinese government going to the President of the United States and he knowingly then gives weapons technology to the Chinese that may jeopardize our national security. If that is the allegation, we better have facts to back it up because, quite frankly, that is not just accusing the President of the United States of a crime, that is accusing the President of the United States of the crime of treason.

[Nix 2]

Darn good research, kcvl. It DOES rather explain an awful lot of things, doesn't it? I posted this stuff on Waxman a long time ago, but no one had put the complete picture together yet. Now it isn't so hard to understand the clintonistas coming down so hard on American Tobacco. Among other things.
The other doubledealer, our great space hero, got to relive his adventure in space for his part in silencing administration critics. Everybody got something.
Loral, Enron, Global Crossing, Terry the hitlery pimp McCaullife with his online gift registry. So much corruption it will take an encyclopedia with add-on volumes to get it all out. If we live that long.

[chiefqc]

HENRY "HOSE NOSE" WAXMAN ANOTHER STELLAR DUMB-O-CRAT.

HIS NEXT GOOD IDEA WILL BE HIS FIRST.

HEY WAXMAN, TAKE A DEEP BREATH, DON'T EXHALE.

NOW DON'T WE ALL FEEL BETTER.

[Great Dane]

I need a cigarette....excuse me while I have a smoke or is it still legal to smoke in my own home?

Not yet, but stay tuned.