Dear Readers,

In addition to Rep. Roukema, I have sent letters similar to the following to Rep. Steve Rothman (D), NJ-5th Dist and to NJ US Senators Torricelli and Lautenberg. Except for Senator Lautenberg, all are members of the Board of Directors of The Van Ost Institute, so I expect that they will act favorably to a request from one of its Co-Founders.

If you care about our nation's children, please contact your members of Congress by letter, phone, fax or e-mail and urge them to nullify the Senate's recent disgraceful action which, essentially, has likely killed the McCain tobacco Bill.

Thanks from me and our kids!

Dr. Bill

Congresswoman Marge Roukema (R) NJ-9th Dist.
Panzer Plaza
1200 East Ridgewood Avenue
Ridgewood, NJ 07450

Dear Marge,

As a fellow member of the Board of Directors of The Van Ost Institute, as a Spokesperson for 52,000 members of The American Academy of Pediatrics and as a constituent, I write to strongly urge you to be one of the leaders urging the passage of comprehensive tobacco control legislation this year. I'm aware that this viewpoint might be contrary to the wishes of most members of your party but with 3,000 children becoming regular smokers each day, the House of Representatives can no longer delay passage of legislation to protect our children.

A small targeted tobacco control bill that also includes a substance abuse focus in unacceptable. Tobacco is an issue of such importance and enormity that it must remain a free-standing bill. Youth drug abuse reduction is a critical issue of similar magnitude to tobacco use reduction but it must be tackled separately with the same passion and fervor that the Congress and the American people have displayed with respect to tobacco control.

The disgraceful vote by the Senate doesn't alter the fact that on the day of that Senate vote and each day thereafter unless action is taken, 3,000 kids will become tobacco users, a third of whom are likely to become addicted and, as a result, become victims of an early and agonizing death. That vote doesn't change the need for comprehensive tobacco control legislation that includes FDA authority over nicotine, advertising and marketing restrictions, a tobacco product tax increase, strong look back penalties and funding for tobacco prevention,, counter-advertising and cessation programs. I am dis appointed (no, angry!) That, in the Senate, politics outweighed good public health policy. I look to the House, through you, to provide leadership to protect our children. Over 52,000 members of The American Academy of Pediatrics will not be swayed from our mission of passing comprehensive tobacco control legislation this year. They will not go away and they will not end their fight until a comprehensive anti-tobacco bill is passed... they will not accept the watered down version now being offered by the House leadership.... Help us, Marge! Help us protect our kids!

Sincerely,
William C. Van Ost, M.D., F.A.A.P.
Co-Founder, Van Ost Institute
Past Pres., NJ Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics