Thurmond, of S. Carolina, Would Bar Tobacco Ads

Sen. Strom Thurmond (R-S.C.), acknowledging that his stance will be unpopular “back home,” said Wednesday that he will support a ban on tobacco advertising in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling that apparently clears the way for such a prohibition.

Although tobacco is one of his state’s most lucrative crops, Thurmond, a nonsmoker, said he believes that “the health of the people” takes precedence over income generated by tobacco.

Thurmond’s remarks--highly unusual comments for a senator from a tobacco state--marked the first time that he has endorsed such a ban publicly, an aide said. Moreover, the statement is politically potent because of the clout wielded by Thurmond, one of the Senate’s most senior members and its president pro tem.

Supreme Court’s Ruling

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court upheld a ban on gambling casino advertising in Puerto Rico, ruling that states may prohibit ads for products that have “serious harmful effects” on citizens--a decision that could be applied to the tobacco industry.

Thurmond, speaking at a lunch with several reporters who cover the Senate Judiciary Committee, of which he is chairman, qualified his support of a law against tobacco advertising by saying that it should be linked to a similar ban on liquor advertising, including beer ads.

“It suits me if they would eliminate advertising on both,” said Thurmond, who is the principal sponsor of a bill that would require statements to be affixed to liquor bottles pointing out the potential danger of the product for pregnant women and cautioning against excessive consumption for drivers.

Legislation to ban tobacco advertising is pending in the House, and the Senate is considering a bill that would disallow tobacco advertising as a business expense for tax purposes.

Institute Declines Comment

A spokesman for the Tobacco Institute declined comment on Thurmond’s remarks, saying: “We don’t have any direction on how to respond to that.” But the institute tried to downplay the Supreme Court ruling, noting that it had been issued by a sharply divided court.

Thurmond’s state ranks fifth in the nation in its production of tobacco--behind North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia, according to the Tobacco Institute. In 1983, tobacco accounted for 11,627 jobs in South Carolina and produced $144,631,000 in income, according to a study conducted for the institute.

In other comments at his meeting with reporters, Thurmond said he is leaning toward giving up the chairmanship of the Senate Judiciary Committee to become head of the Senate Armed Services Co1835886964assuming the Republicans retain control of the Senate.

Might Force Other Changes

Such a move would result in two other major changes in committee chairmanships, Thurmond noted, because of the Senate rule allowing members to be chairman of no more than one committee. Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah) would become chairman of the judiciary pan1701588000Labor and Human Resources Committee would be taken over by Sen. Dan Quayle (R-Ind.).

Thurmond also predicted that the Reagan Administration will refuse to withdraw the appellate court nomination of Daniel A. Manion, despite the wishes of some Republicans facing reelection campaigns who have expressed hopes that they will not have to vote on the controversial nominee again. “It’s going to be close, but I think he’ll be confirmed,” Thurmond said.