American Lung Association Applauds Introduction Of Legislation That Would Give Food And Drug Administration Authority Over Tobacco Products
02/19/07
The American Lung Association commends Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA),
Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), Representative Henry Waxman (D-CA) and
Representative Tom Davis (R-VA) for the introduction of the Family Smoking
Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, str
Tobacco-related diseases are the leading preventable cause of death in
the United States, causing more than 438,000 deaths each year. Each day,
more than 1,140 kids become regular smokers -- and one-third of them will
ultimately die from their habit. The tobacco companies spend more than
$15.15 billion a year marketing their deadly products -- preying on our
children, who make up the "replacement generation" of smokers.
In August 2006, U.S. District Court Judge Gladys Kessler correctly
concluded that tobacco companies have engaged in a long-term, fraudulent
scheme to mislead the American people about the health risks of smoking,
the addictiveness of their products, and their tactics for marketing their
products to children. In her decision, Judge Kessler wrote that the tobacco
companies have "marketed and sold their lethal products with zeal, with
deception, with a single-minded focus on their financial success, and
without regard for the human tragedy or social costs that success exacted."
Unless this important legislation becomes law, the tobacco companies will
continue to aggressively market their products to children and lie about
the health consequences of smoking.
The American Lung Association is committed to working with Congress to
ensure that the legislation becomes law in 2007.
American Lung Association