Brittany ReederStaff Writer

There’s no shortage of smokers on campus. In fact, anyone can walk around and find students smoking outside residence halls and classroom buildings, in the free expression tunnel, or on the brickyard.

While most students spent their summer at the beach, working, or taking classes, it’s not surprising that few students are unaware of pending Congressional legislation that could impact smokers in the near future.

Smokers have been a hot topic on Capitol Hill this summer, and it’s not because of the tobacco industry or the health risks that are associated with smoking. The legislative branch of government plans to fund a multi-billion dollar piece of health care legislation by increasing taxes on all tobacco products.

On August 1, 2007, just before August recess, Congress passed H. R. 3162, The Children’s Health and Medicare Protection Act, a 465 page bill, by a vote of 225-197.

This Act includes measures to reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance for $50 billion. SCHIP will allow uninsured children, particularly those from under-served populations, to have health coverage.

According to the bill summary, The CHAMP Act also includes provisions for Medicare beneficiary improvements and Medicare physician payment reform, while also aiming to decrease the gap in “health disparities” between those who can afford health care, and those for whom health care is an unaffordable luxury.

Congress plans to fund The CHAMP Act by increasing tobacco taxes by $0.45.

“I would personally be OK with it, [but] I don’t think the majority of people would [be],” Melissa Poston, a smoker and freshman in international studies, said.

She said she does not think smokers are being unfairly targeted, even though Congress has named no other source to fund this health care bill.

“How could you be against health care for kids?” she asked.

Sierra Robinson, a nonsmoker and senior in psychology shared the same sentiments.

“I do think the tax is a good thing because it will help children to get better health care,” she said.

Robinson does believe that there are alternatives to funding The CHAMP Act other than just taxing tobacco products.

“The alternatives could be to split the taxes between alcohol, cigarettes, tobacco, and all other harmful and legal drugs,” she said.

A comparable Senate bill, S. 1893, passed the Senate with a 68-31 vote. While the Senate bill gives less money to children’s health insurance and Medicare programs, the cigarette taxes proposed by the Senate are increased by $0.61 and they oppose the House’s $0.45.

“As far as the tax goes, it sucks,” said Alex Kovach, a sophomore in chemistry. “Personally, I’d prefer if they’d stop putting money into the war [instead of taxing smokers].”

Kovach noted that smoking may be a dying trend.

“It definitely seems that there are fewer smokers at State,” he said. “We’re a dying race. Ironically, if we keep smoking we won’t be around to affect Medicare,” he said.

Congressman Walter Jones, who represents the third district of North Carolina, which includes Wayne, Beaufort, and Nash counties, voted against The CHAMP Act.

In an e-mail correspondence with Congressman Jones’ Press Secretary, Kathleen Joyce, Joyce listed a variety of reasons that the Congressman voted against The CHAMP Act.

Some of his reasons were that the “the House version of the bill unfairly raises taxes on tobacco,” “cuts Medicare for seniors,” “cuts home medical equipment for seniors, like oxygen tanks and wheelchairs,” and “carries and enormous cost and is not financially conservative.”

Joyce’s e-mail also stated that The CHAMP Act also has implications from illegal immigrants. The reason being that H.R. 3162 “gives states the option of requiring proof of citizenship for enrollment in Medicaid and SCHIP, opening the door for illegal [immigrants] to receive taxpayer-funded health benefits,” was just one of many factors that caused this bill not to receive Congressman Walter Jones’ support.

Congressman G. K. Butterfield, who represents North Carolina’s first district, which includes Northampton and Bertie counties, voted yes for The CHAMP Act. According to his Communications Director Ken Willis, the Congressman had good reasons and insight for casting his vote in favor of The CHAMP Act.

“[SCHIP] covers about six million children who aren’t poor enough to qualify for Medicaid,” Willis said. “The reauthorization offered the opportunity to get more children covered. In 2006, SCHIP covered 250,000 children in North Carolina, [while] 275,000 remained uninsured.” he said. Willis described SCHIP as a “safety net” for children who need health care, and that the primary focus of the bill is to reduce the number of uninsured children.

“There are [still] six million children who aren’t [covered],” he said.

A conference between the U.S. House and Senate will occur after August recess to create a collaborative bill that will be sent to President Bush for his decision.

There is still Executive hope for smokers who are against the cigarette tax. President Bush promises to veto The CHAMP Act.

Members of The North Carolina Delegation and their votes on The CHAMP Act Votes

Rep. G. K. Butterfield (D) (NC-01) — Yes

Rep. Howard Coble (R) (NC-06) — No

Rep. Bob Etheridge (D) (NC-02) — Yes

Rep. Virginia Foxx (R) (NC-05) — No

Rep. Robyn Hayes (R) (NC-08) — No

Rep. Walter B. Jones (R) (NC-03) — No Rep. Patrick T. McHenry (R) (NC-10) — No

Rep. Mike McIntyre (D) (NC-07) — Yes

Rep. Brad Miller (D) (NC-13) — Yes

Rep. Sue Myrick (R) (NC-09) — No

Rep. David Price (D) (NC-04) — Yes

Rep. Heath Shuler (D) (NC-11) — Yes

Rep. Mel Watt (D) (NC-12) — Yes

SOURCE: http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2007/roll785.xml