Take a stand against Big Tobacco

By Patrick Reynolds

As a grandson of R.J. Reynolds, founder of the tobacco giant R.J. Reynolds, I have seen the wealth created by the tobacco industry and the harm tobacco causes.

My own father, R.J. Reynolds Jr.; my eldest brother, R.J. Reynolds III; and other family members died of cancer, heart disease and emphysema caused by smoking the brands that made our family wealthy.

My grandfather didn't know the health effects when he founded his company in 1875. Concerned about the undeniable health evidence proving that smoking causes cancer, heart disease and lung disease, I cut off all association with my family's former company and began to speak out against the deadly impacts of tobacco use.

This is also why I endorse Amendment 3 on the ballot Nov. 7 in Missouri and similar efforts across the country. I want Missourians to realize how misleading Big Tobacco and their allies are.

Missouri has one of the highest smoking rates in the country and the second-lowest tobacco tax. In addition, Missouri ranks last in the nation in funding smoking-prevention programs.

It's time to get serious about Missouri's health and its future. And it's time to take a stand and let Big Tobacco and their allies know that they cannot continue to lie to Missourians about the deadly products they market to our children.

Amendment 3 would provide $61 million toward smoking-prevention and smoking-cessation programs to help prevent children from starting and to help current smokers quit. This will bring Missouri near the top in the nation on dollars spent per capita on prevention.

Amendment 3 will provide a substantial portion of the most vulnerable Missourians access to preventive services and will significantly reduce expensive emergency-room visits that are currently being paid for by all taxpayers. Remember, if you don't use tobacco, you don't pay.

Big Tobacco will continue to lie and mislead Missourians about Amendment 3 in order to protect their profits. But, Missourians must understand that Big Tobacco will stop at nothing, and they will lie through Election Day. The lives of our children, our friends, our neighbors and maybe even our loved ones are at stake.

I am confident that Missourians will stand strong against Big Tobacco on Nov. 7 and vote yes on Amendment 3.

Patrick Reynolds of Los Angeles is president of Tobaccofree.org.