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Clay Applauds Landmark Legislation To Regulate Tobacco Says Bill Will Save Lives, Improve Public Health

Press Release

Date: June 12, 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Health and Health Care

Clay Applauds Landmark Legislation to Regulate Tobacco Says Bill Will Save Lives, Improve Public Health

Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay applauded today's overwhelming bipartisan support for H.R. 1256, The Family Smoking Prevention & Tobacco Control Act, which was approved in the U.S. House by a vote of 307 - 97. "This is a giant step forward for protecting public health," said the Congressman. "Today's vote finally puts the federal government on the side of prevention and saving young people from nicotine addiction. It gives the FDA the power to regulate the advertising, marketing and manufacturing of tobacco products, which is long overdue. No other legal product harms so many Americans. Tobacco-related diseases are the number-one cause of preventable death in this country, and we need to do a better job of protecting our children and families. I can think of no other public health measure that will save as many lives and improve the quality of life for so many Americans as this very important bill. I want to congratulate our leadership for advancing this measure in a bipartisan way and I look forward to President Obama's signing the bill soon."

The legislation allows the FDA to develop restrictions on the advertising and promotion of tobacco products. The bill also requires tobacco companies to disclose the ingredients in each product and gives the FDA the power to demand changes to those ingredients. The bill requires more specific health warnings and reinstates the 1996 rule restricting the marketing of tobacco products to youth.
The bipartisan bill is supported by more than 1,000 organizations, including the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Heart Association, American Lung Association and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. Phillip Morris USA, the U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company as well as six small tobacco product manufacturers have also come out in support of the legislation.


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