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H.R.4189 / 105th Congress

Minority Community Tobacco Reduction Act

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jun 25, 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Authorities of Departmental Office of Minority Health With Respect to Tobacco Products Title II: Additional Authorities Minority Community Tobacco Reduction Act - Title I: Authorities of Departmental Office of Minority Health With Respect to Tobacco Products - Amends the Public Health Service Act to instruct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to plan, coordinate, and evaluate all minority tobacco activities conducted or supported by Public Health Service agencies (Service agencies). Prescribes a formula for the allocation of funds for such activities. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health, to: (1) establish a comprehensive plan for implementation of minority tobacco activities by designated Service agencies according to prescribed guidelines and criteria; (2) ensure that minority tobacco activities are provided in contexts that are culturally and linguistically appropriate; and (3) ensure that there is in operation an advisory committee appointed from among non-Federal individuals experienced in minority-health concerns. Requires allocation to minority tobacco activities, according to a specified formula, of any block grants to States made pursuant to national tobacco legislation. Authorizes the use of such grant funds to: (1) establish or operate an office of minority health; or (2) make grants to Indian Health Service area offices. Title II: Additional Authorities - Directs the Secretary to make grants from amounts received by the Federal Government pursuant to national tobacco legislation to: (1) establish at certain minority medical schools endowments whose income shall be used exclusively for public health programs and biomedical research on diseases for which tobacco product consumption is the principal causal factor; (2) public and private nonprofit private entities for research, training, and demonstrations regarding child health and biomedical research (including with respect to tobacco products); and (3) community, migrant, and homeless health centers to assist them in providing health services and prevention activities for tobacco-related diseases. (Sec. 204) Makes Federal grants available to provide transition assistance to certain entities whose activities had previously been supported through the advertising or promotion of tobacco interests. (Sec. 205) Exempts from the application of national tobacco legislation the use of tobacco and tobacco products by Indian tribes for religious, ceremonial, and traditional purposes.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2] · D–MS

Committees

  • Energy and Commerce Committee
66 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.

  2. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1273-1274)

  3. Referred to the House Committee on Commerce.

  4. Introduced in House

  5. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

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Source last updated: Jun 3, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.4189 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.4189 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.4189 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.4189 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

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