ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, November 4, 1996 TAG: 9611040088
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SANDRA BROWN KELLY STAFF WRITER
THE MEDICAL SOCIETY of Virginia wants 20 cents added to a pack's tax.
Government should control the advertising of tobacco products and increase the state tax on cigarettes, say members of the 6,500-member Medical Society of Virginia.
The group, meeting through Sunday in Norfolk, called for local governments to ban public advertising of tobacco products where it will be visible to children. A second anti-tobacco resolution called for a 20-cent increase in state tax on each pack of cigarettes.
The doctors say they will lobby the General Assembly for the tax increase and ask that the revenues from it be designated for medical research and education.
The medical group also will push for legislation requiring insurance companies to pay for all breast reconstructive procedures. Lack of coverage for reconstruction has been an issue for women suffering from breast cancer. Some policies will pay for plastic surgery; others consider it cosmetic surgery and don't cover it.
Saturday, the group installed Roanoke ophthalmologist Kenneth Tuck as president. Roanoke internist Dr. Larry Monahan was chosen first vice president. Dr. Chris Alexander III, also a Roanoke internist, will be one of three representatives to the American Medical Association.
The society chose Dr. Carol Shapiro of Woodbridge as president-elect, which positions her to become president in 1997. Shapiro would be the first woman president of the society.
LENGTH: Short : 37 linesby CNB