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House Energy and Commerce Committee Sides with Public Health, Approves Bill to Regulate Tobacco Products Statement of Daniel E. Smith, President, Washington, D.C. April 2, 2008 “Millions of families who have experienced the devastating effects of tobacco addiction can celebrate today being one step closer the historic passage of legislation that for the first time will save lives by stopping Big Tobacco’s unfettered ability to market its deadly products to children and adults. “The tobacco industry has been left to its own devices for far too long, at the expense of the 4,000 children who try their first cigarette every day and the 440,000 Americans we lose each year from tobacco-related illnesses. Despite all the death and disease tobacco products cause, they are exempt from basic health regulations that apply to consumable products, drugs and even dog food. “This bill will put a stop to decades of Big Tobacco marketing, aimed at addicting each new generation of young people to their deadly products. Ninety percent of smokers begin before the age of 18, not because they are taking their health into consideration, but because they’re persuaded by slick advertising and promotions that convince them smoking is glamorous and cool. Nothing could be farther from the truth. We urge the House to move the tobacco legislation quickly to the full House floor and look forward to continued success for this critical public safety policy.” “We commend Chairman Dingell (D-MI), Subcommittee Chairman Pallone (D-NJ), Lead Sponsor Waxman (D-CA) and the other members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee from both sides of the aisle who voted today in support of legislation to give the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) meaningful authority to regulate tobacco products. This vote is a critical step forward toward enactment of perhaps the most important public health bill Congress could pass by the end of the year.” ACS CAN is the nonprofit, nonpartisan sister advocacy organization of the American Cancer Society, 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.acscan.org. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
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