Tom Bauer's Mom

News Conference Statement by Thomas Bauer in Tribute to His Mom, Mary Ann Bauer

On June 23, 2000, the world saw one of its brightest lights extinguished. My mother, Mary Ann Bauer died on this day after a two-year battle with small cell lung cancer. Diagnosed on April 1, 1998, my mother smoked cigarettes for more than thirty years. She began smoking at a time when cigarette commercials used tag lines like "Doctors Recommend Phillip Morris" and "Not a Cough in a Carload". Cigarette smoking was considered glamorous, a societal norm. It certainly could not kill you. These ads were designed by the tobacco companies to addict people to their product for a profit and a sizeable return to their shareholders regardless of the grave health risks that these companies knew existed, but had buried to avoid financial ruin. Had my mother the knowledge of what smoking could do to her in 1960, would she ever have started smoking? I will never know the answer to that question. The tobacco companies created a blanket of lies and deliberate deception. In that blanket, my mother suffered and died.

Today, Phillip Morris is engaged in a horrible campaign of continued deception to paint themselves as a company that cares, a company that has the good will of society as its foundation. Phillip Morris is no different today than it was fifty years ago. It is still a company that chemically alters their product to addict the consumer and ensure lifelong use of cigarettes.

My mother was not a famous person by the world's standards. She was, however, a person that could light up a room simply by walking in the door. Strangers at a family gathering immediately felt welcome in her presence. She was the most selfless person I know. Without her, there is a cold emptiness in all of our lives that I suspect will remain there forever. Her life was lived and devoted to those she loved. Her death has been the most tragic loss for all that knew and loved her. Cigarette smoking killed my mother as sure as a gun would have, albeit much slower. In my own sorrow, I write, I speak to anyone who will listen and I remember what she endured. If one person will stop smoking as a result of her story, if one young mother makes the choice not to smoke, my mother's death will mean something. Her life meant so much to so many people. Her tragic death needs to mean as much if not more.

My mother, Mary Ann Bauer died of small cell lung cancer, a direct result from prolonged addiction to cigarettes. She leaves behind her husband and best friend, Thomas Bauer. I am the eldest of her seven heartbroken children. She will never have the chance to see her five grandchildren grow up. Her mother and her eight siblings miss her so very much. Her countless nieces, nephews, cousins and friends will always miss her smile and her warmth. Her life meant so much to so many. We will miss her every day of our lives. Our hearts have a hole that will always be empty. My mom was and will always be the strongest person I will ever know. Her life and her death are my inspiration to tell you her story. Her death, a tragedy for our family, needs to send a message.

I congratulate all of you here that had the courage to stand up to Big Tobacco. It is my hope that the strength and leadership that the groups represented here have shown will inspire other groups, organizations and companies to make the same stand. If more organizations show the same courage shown by those here today, Phillip Morris and its subsidiaries will receive the message loud and clear. Phillip Morris cannot use its power and financial influence to buy respect, forgiveness or acceptance of their tainted products in our world, our communities or our families. In the name and memory of my mother, I will continue to share her story to spread this message and hope that your courage as well as my mothers‰ story will inspire others to action.

The American Lung Association has it right—when you can't breathe, nothing else matters.

Related Links:

• Join the Families Against Philip Morris Campaign!
• American Lung Association Launches Statewide Campaign to counter Philip Morris Corporate Make-over Attempt
• View August 30 ad in USA Today