WASHINGTON, D.C. -- October 3, 2007 -- “Public health experts are testifying today in support of what millions of families who have lost loved ones to the deadly effects of tobacco already know that it’s long past time to grant the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to regulate the manufacture, marketing, and sale of tobacco products.
“We commend Chairman Pallone for holding today’s hearing in the Health Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and we urge both houses of Congress to take prompt action on the bill, which is cosponsored by 200 members of the House and 55 members of the Senate.
“The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (H.R. 1108/S. 625) would at long last grant the FDA the power to regulate the manufacture, sale, and marketing of tobacco products, which kill 440,000 Americans each year. The bill is supported by the an overwhelming majority of the American public, by more than 500 national, state and local public health, medical, children’s, and faith-based organizations. The prestigious Institute of Medicine and the President’s Cancer Panel have also recommended that Congress grant the FDA this authority.
“The FDA is the only federal agency with the scientific expertise necessary to effectively regulate tobacco products and monitor the misleading claims made by the tobacco companies. Moreover, this bill provides FDA with the additional resources needed to ensure effective oversight of the industry.
“Tobacco companies spend an obscene $40 million a day on offensive advertising much of which is directed at children and minorities. They are directly responsible for the fact that every day 4,000 kids light up their first cigarette, and 1,000 of them go on to become lifelong smokers. The marketing restrictions contained in the bill will help put a stop this egregious practice.
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.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Kat Porter
Phone: (202) 585-3202
Email: [email protected]
Alissa Havens
Phone: (202) 661-5772
Email: [email protected]