LETTERS: BILL PROPOSES BETTER TOBACCO PLAN

To the editor:

While the big tobacco deal shows signs of stalling in Washington, it's time to turn attention to a better piece of legislation that would make immediate progress against teen smoking. It is Congressman Sanford Bishop's Tobacco Use by Minors Deterrence Act. While the tobacco settlement takes an extraordinarily narrow approach to teen smoking, Bishop's bill presents an innovative team approach that includes retailers, employees, law enforcement, families and kids themselves.

Under Bishop's bill, retailers would participate in state licensing programs like those applied to alcohol sales, restrict tobacco displays within a minor's reach, pay stiff fines and risk loss of their tobacco license for noncompliance. In addition, Bishop's bill requires retailers to train employees on how to prevent tobacco sales to youths.

As an operator of 15 Rhodes 101 Stop convenience stores, our company is committed to stopping teen smoking. However, retailers can't solve this problem alone. We need parents, law enforcement and communities to get involved. The Bishop bill requires parental notification when youths are caught buying cigarettes. For youths who break the law, it imposes fines, community service and possible loss of their driver's licenses.

Bishop's effort is right on track. Let's push aside this talk of deals and settlements and get down to the business of keeping teen-agers from using tobacco.

PAUL R. DIRNBERGER, Operations Manager

Rhodes 101 Stop Convenience Stores

Cape Girardeau