On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate passed Senator Tom Harkin’s (D-IA) amendment to an agriculture appropriations bill that some are calling the most significant anti-smoking legislation in nearly 10 years.

The $34 million amendment was passed by an overwhelming majority of senators, 70-28. It was a giant victory for Harkin, whose recent attempts to pass anti-smoking laws have met considerable difficulties.

Though Senator Harkin’s actions should be applauded, shouldn’t we be using this money to combat other kinds of drug use by our young people?

This bill was passed the same day Governor Terry Branstad commented on a recent survey by the Iowa Department of Education.

That survey showed a 33 percent increase in the use of marijuana and other illegal drugs by Iowa high school seniors. It also indicated 40 percent of those students were regular or heavy users of alcohol.

Even more frightening was the revelation that many Iowa girls as young as 12 are becoming addicted to amphetamines to lose weight.

This study may indeed show that government’s attempts to curb smoking may be sending confusing signals to our teens.

When federal and state governments start intensive campaigns to eliminate a particular class of drug, resources are wasted that could have been used in a more efficient manner.

Our legislators and representatives should be writing laws that eliminate ALL illegal drugs from our streets. The tougher laws to stop teenage smoking should be part and parcel with laws to keep other dangerous drugs out of youths’ hands.

Though our legislators’ motives in writing these anti-smoking laws might be good, we should be taking those motives a step further.