WASHINGTON, D.C. -- August 16, 2007 -- "The President’s Cancer Panel report issued today offers strong support for critical tobacco control measures that the public health community has long supported. We call on President Bush to state his support for the Panel’s recommendations and to encourage prompt action on critical tobacco control legislation pending in Congress.
"The Panel, which includes Dr. LaSalle D. Leffall, a long time volunteer of the American Cancer Society, includes federal and state policy recommendations critical to dramatically reducing the burden tobacco has on both our country and globally.
"The Panel’s recommendation that the federal government regulate tobacco products adds to the already strong momentum behind bipartisan congressional legislation that would give the Food and Drug Administration the broad authority to regulate the sale, advertising, manufacture and distribution of tobacco products in the United States. The bill, strongly supported by ACS CAN and more than 400 other public health and faith-based groups, would restrict tobacco advertising and promotions aimed at children, stop illegal sales of tobacco products to youth and require more effective warning labels on tobacco products.
"The report also supports increasing the federal cigarette tax, which is currently 39 cents per pack. The House and Senate each have passed children’s health legislation supported by ACS CAN that would provide a substantial increase in the federal excise tax on tobacco products, a scientifically proven way to decrease tobacco use and prevent people, especially children, from ever starting to smoke. The Panel’s recommendation runs counter to the President’s public opposition to a tobacco tax increase.
"The Panel urges ratification by the President of the World Health Organization’s landmark global public health treaty to combat tobacco use around the world. The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) treaty commits ratifying nations to implement scientifically proven measures that reduce tobacco use, however to date the U.S. Administration has failed to send the FCTC to the U.S. Senate for ratification.
"The report also provides a clear call for action at the state and local levels. The Cancer Panel urges continued passage of strong smoke-free laws, increases in tobacco excise taxes and increased funding for tobacco prevention and cessation.
"Policymakers should heed the Panel’s call and move quickly to implement policies that we know will reduce suffering and death from cancer. We will remain vigilant in working at all levels of government to empower smokers to quit and prevent others from taking up the habit."
The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering and preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. Founded in 1913 and with national headquarters in Atlanta, the Society has 13 regional Divisions and local offices in 3,400 communities, involving millions of volunteers across the United States. For more information anytime, call toll free 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.
ACS CAN is the nonprofit, nonpartisan sister advocacy organization of the American Cancer Society, which is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem. ACS CAN works to encourage lawmakers, candidates and government officials to support laws and policies that will make cancer a top national priority. ACS CAN gives ordinary people extraordinary power to fight cancer. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.