How You Can Help Hold Big Tobacco Accountable
Nearly 20 years ago, a U.S. Federal District judge found that the major cigarette manufacturers violated civil racketeering laws for deliberately defrauding the public.
News
FDA Starts Tobacco Action - Final Rule Desperately Needed
October 10, 2015
For the past several weeks, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been cracking down on the tobacco industry.
In late August, the agency sent letters to three brands, including American Spirit, to stop using words and phrases in their advertising that would give the impression that their products are safer than other cigarettes on the market. The FDA has an approval process in place for products that want to make such claims, however these companies have not engaged in that process.
In early September, the FDA told RJ Reynolds that four of the companyÈs cigarette brands could no longer be sold in the United States because they were not like tobacco products on the market as of February 15, 2007 a date set by the Tobacco Control Act. Stores have 30 days from the FDAÈs notice to dispose of their current supply of those brands.
However, the FDA still has not made progress on its most pressing and important issue -- releasing a final rule to regulate all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and cigars. It took almost five years for the FDA to release its proposed rule, and statements by the Health and Human Services
Secretary earlier this year indicated that a final rule would be released this past summer.
While the FDA has delayed releasing a final rule, overall sales and use among kids of e-cigarettes, unregulated products, have skyrocketed. The FDA needs to move quickly to release a final rule and finally regulate all tobacco products including cigars and the now multi-billion dollar e-cigarette industry.
Related Updates
