Press Room

In the last few weeks nine states have worked to pass bills that restrict local lawmakers’ ability to pass future innovative and proactive public health policies. These bills are known as “preemption bills” because they block, or preempt, authority of lower levels of government to pass laws stronger than state law. Preemption bills are popular among groups like the tobacco industry to prevent future legislation that could impact the sale of its products. The following is a Statement from Christopher W. Hansen, President of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN).

DENVER, Colo.—June 4, 2018—On Friday, June 1, Governor John Hickenlooper vetoed Senate Bill 18-179, a bill seeking to permanently extend a three-year tax credit for premium cigars and other tobacco products that a retailer ships or transports to an out-of-state consumer. 

Two reports released today highlight potentially dangerous findings among U.S. middle and high school students when it comes to advertising and perceptions of electronic cigarette and other tobacco products.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced today a new, comprehensive approach to confront nicotine addiction in the U.S. through the agency’s authority over tobacco products. 

Six leading public health organizations today asked federal courts to allow them to intervene in two lawsuits brought by the electronic cigarette and cigar industries against the Food and Drug Administration’s 2016 rule establishing public health oversight of e-cigarettes, cigars and other previously unregulated tobacco products

The U.S. House Appropriations Committee approved a bill today that would greatly weaken the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) oversight of tobacco products. The provision was included in the FY 2018 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Related Agencies appropriations bill.

ACS CAN joined 50 other leading health groups in urging the current administration to defend and fully implement the 2016 Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rule establishing public health oversight of electronic cigarettes, cigars and other previously unregulated tobacco products, also known as the deeming rule. 

This week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) took three actions that will likely undermine evidence-based cancer prevention efforts.

Mayor Muriel Bowser’s recent budget proposal fails to include $160,000 which is needed to ensure implementation of the District’s new ordinance that raises the age of sale for tobacco products to 21 years old.

Today, the City Council’s Finance Committee will hear an ordinance from Aldermen Ed Burke and Patrick Thompson that would create a process to exempt certain retailers from restrictions on flavored tobacco sales.