LCA HAILS US SENATE PASSAGE

OF TOBACCO CONTROL BILL

June 11, 2009 [Washington, DC] -- Legislation giving the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to regulate tobacco products passed the Senate this afternoon on a resounding vote of 79 to 17 - an unexpectedly large vote of support for an idea that was deemed politically impossible just a few years ago.

LCA President Laurie Fenton-Ambrose called it a milestone in public health history.

"We congratulate the leadership in the House and the Senate, in particular Congressman Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Senators Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and Chris Dodd (D-CT), for guiding this historic legislation to such a triumphant victory. We hope that governments around the world will take note and enact similar legislation."

While a few small differences between the House and Senate versions must be worked out before the historic legislation can be sent to the President for his signature, that process should go smoothly and quickly, given the lopsided votes in both houses of Congress.

Once signed into law, the FDA would be able to restrict the sale or distribution of tobacco products "if appropriate for the protection of public health."  A flat out ban of tobacco is prohibited, but manufacturers would be required to list all ingredients in their raw products, chemical compounds found in the smoke from their products and the health impact of each. The listing would be published annually by the FDA.

No added flavorings or spices could be used and all advertising and promotions would have to be pre-approved by the FDA. The bill contains other provisions to protect children from predatory marketing ploys and the public in general from fraudulent health claims used particularly with mentholated cigarettes.

To read a summary of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, click here.