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As Speaker of the US House of Representatives, John Boehner makes jokes on the Leno show about America’s most successful war.
On January 11, 1964, Luther L. Terry, M.D., Surgeon General of the U.S. Public Health Service, released the first report of the Surgeon General's Advisory Committee on Smoking and Health that smoking was a major health hazard causing COPD, lung cancer and other illnesses. Later it was revealed that second hand smoke was a major cause of illness in others, especially children living in same domicile.
This war continued for decades with only marginal success until responsible lawmakers stepped in and prohibited smoking in public buildings, more recently hospitals and saloons.
The result has been a reduction of human pain, suffering and mortality that could be counted in the millions. This war against tobacco was conducted without budget breaking government expenditures or known loss of life. In the meantime Boehner huffed and puffed while handing out bundles of tobacco industry bribes. His personal staff, during this period, misplaced hundreds of thousands of dollars gambling and remains constantly associated with the casino industry. Boehner met behind closed doors with Las Vegas Sands multibillionaire Sheldon Adelson who was accused of racketeering before the last election.
When will this fun loving, hell raising, once good looking congressman realize his college days are long past? As Speaker of the US House of Representatives from the Ohio 8th District, he has a responsibility to the country at the highest level. Making jest of America’s greatest healthcare achievement in the war against tobacco is behavior unworthy of any responsible citizen - let alone a highly paid and powerful public servant.
Charles E. Reier MD
Rebecca A. Reier RN, CRNA
Greenville OH 45331