Makes No Sense At All

U.S. to Quit Inspecting Tobacco

Sunday, Oct. 17, 2004

WASHINGTON (AP) - Legislation just passed by Congress abolishes
the requirement that the government inspect imported tobacco to
ensure it is not laced with chemicals and pesticides banned in the
United States but permitted elsewhere.

That means imported leaf, which U.S. tobacco companies are
increasingly relying on, could make cigarettes even more harmful,
said Tom Glynn, director of science and trends for the American
Cancer Society.

Glynn said about 60 of the 4,000 or so chemicals in cigarette
smoke are linked to cancer. "What this may do is just add to that
number, making an already toxic product even more toxic,'' he said.