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Texas Food Industry Association Leader Voices Opposition to McCain Tobacco Bill

AUSTIN, Texas, May 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Rick Johnson, president of the Texas Food Industry Association, called on members of the Texas Congressional delegation to oppose the harmful economic measures included in the current version of S.1415, also known as the McCain bill.

Johnson said he is encouraging members of TFIA to step up their letter- writing campaign to let members of the Texas delegation, and the public, know what is at stake in the current national tobacco legislation in Washington.

``Most of our retailers do not smoke, and many do not even support the tobacco companies,'' Johnson said. ``But this legislation does much more than just punish the tobacco industry, it hurts thousands of hard-working, tax- paying Texas businesses.

``None of our members want to see teenagers gain illegal access to cigarettes, but the effects of increased smuggling -- which will be a direct result of $5 packs of cigarettes -- will devastate our businesses and actually make it more likely that teens will smoke.''

The Texas Food Industry Association is the only Texas association that solely represents the interest of food retailers, suppliers and wholesalers across the state.

Johnson said his organization was proud to join the Texas Association of Wholesale Distributors which announced its opposition to S.1415 on Wednesday.

``This is a big-government, big-tax bill and it will result in the loss of thousands of jobs here in Texas,'' Johnson said. ``It will create financial chaos for the retail food industry -- and it will not solve the problem of underage smoking.

``Our members are going to be heard in Washington,'' Johnson said. ``We cannot afford to sit idly by and see our businesses hurt.''

SOURCE: Texas Food Industry Association