Tobacco

Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Each year over 400,000 Americans die due to smoking-related diseases and thousands more die from exposure to secondhand smoke. According to the World Health Organization, by 2025 smoking will cause over 10 million deaths a year worldwide. The consequences of tobacco to public health are devastating. (Last Updated March 17, 2005)

Latest News

Chairman Waxman Delivers Democratic Radio Address

On August 2, 2008, Chairman Waxman delivered the Democratic Radio Address. In his address, Chairman Waxman discussed critical legislation passed by the House this week that addresses the health and safety of America’s children.

House Passes FDA Tobacco Bill

After over a decade of investigative efforts by Chairman Waxman, the House passed legislation introduced by Chairman Waxman and Ranking Member Davis to authorize FDA regulation of tobacco products.

Information Requested on Allegations of Political Interference in Tobacco Case

Following renewed allegations of political interference in the Justice Department's case against the tobacco industry, Rep. Waxman requests documents and communications between the Department and the White House relating to the litigation.

Chairman Waxman Responds to FDA Commissioner's Statement on Tobacco Regulation

Chairman Waxman sent a letter to FDA Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach urging him to reconsider his position on proposed tobacco legislation. The bill would empower FDA to regulate tobacco products in order to protect the public health.

Waxman and Davis Reintroduce Legislation to Regulate Tobacco Products

Chairman Waxman and Rep. Davis introduce legislation that would give FDA strong authority to regulate tobacco products.

Democrats Ask Hastert to Ban Smoking in House Buildings

Nineteen Democrats write to Speaker Hastert asking him to bring the Capitol Complex into compliance with District of Columbia law and ban smoking in the Capitol complex. Effective on April 3, DC law prohibited smoking in any workplace or indoor public place.

Rep. Waxman Requests Ban on Smoking in House Buildings

In a letter to the Office of Compliance, Rep. Waxman asks that the Office direct the House Building Commission to ban smoking in House buildings.

Rep. Waxman and Sen. Durbin Question DOJ Support of Tobacco Litigation

In a letter to Attorney General Gonzales, Rep. Waxman and Sen. Durbin ask for information on the Department's plans to ensure necessary funding and support for the tobacco legal team, given the likelihood of post-trial developments and appeals.

Cal/EPA Tobacco Report Should Inform Secondhand Smoke Policies

Rep. Waxman writes to Cal/EPA Secretary Alan C. Lloyd to commend the Agency for its new report on secondhand smoke, Proposed Identification of Environmental Tobacco Smoke as a Toxic Air Contaminant.

Tobacco Missing from HHS Priorities List

Rep. Waxman writes to HHS Secretary Michael O. Leavitt asking why the nation's leading cause of preventable death--tobacco--is missing from his "500-day plan," which "provides direction to the daily leadership and management of the Department.”

Government Witness in Tobacco Case Says Justice Department Lawyers Asked Him to Weaken Testimony

Reps. Waxman and Meehan release new details about how Justice Department officials inappropriately pressured Professor Max H. Bazerman, an expert witness in the tobacco litigation, to change his recommendations for extensive structural reforms in the tobacco industry.

Update: Handling of Tobacco Case To Be Investigated

In response to a request from Reps. Waxman and Meehan, the Office of Professional Responsibility in the Department of Justice will investigate whether improper political interference contributed to the Department's stunning reversals in the litigation against the tobacco industry.

Davis and Waxman Reintroduce Legislation to Regulate Tobacco Products

Chairman Davis and Rep. Waxman introduce H.R. 1376, legislation that would give FDA strong authority to regulate tobacco products.

Justice Department Urged to Pursue Tobacco Suit Aggressively

Reps. Waxman and Meehan write to Attorney General Gonzales to express their support for the Justice Department's aggressive pursuit of the landmark case against the tobacco industry.

Global Tobacco Accord Needed to Combat International Cigarette Smuggling

Citing a new GAO report, Rep. Waxman urges the President to address the growing threat of cigarette smuggling by making ratification of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control an urgent priority.

Legislation Introduced to Regulate Tobacco Products

Chairman Davis and Rep. Waxman introduce H.R. 4433, legislation that would give FDA strong authority to regulate tobacco products. The bill addressses youth smoking, requires a review of scientific evidence before "reduced risk" tobacco products could be marketed, and provides the agency authority to control the content of tobacco products.

Free Trade Pact Should Exclude Tobacco

Rep. Waxman, Sen. Durbin, and Rep. Doggett urge the Administration to insist that tobacco products be excluded from the Free Trade Area of the Americas, a trade-promoting agreement that will effect over 500 million people in Latin America and Caribbean countries.

Distribution of Smokeless Tobacco Appears to Violate Navy Policy

Rep. Waxman writes the Acting Secretary of the Navy on U.S. Smokeless Tobacco's recent distribution of free samples to Marines serving in Iraq in what appears to be a blatant violation of Marine Corps policy.

Letter Questions USDA Promotion of Tobacco Trade

Senator Durbin and Rep. Waxman write to the Department of Agriculture regarding a new GAO report that finds that the Foreign Agricultural Service has analyzed the potential opportunities foreign tobacco markets, including the market for "younger smokers," offer U.S. tobacco companies and participated in negotiations that led to the elimination of tobacco tariffs. These actions appear to violate the law that prohibits the Foreign Agricultural Service from promoting the sale and export of tobacco products.

Smokeless Tobacco "Gift" Puts Profits Before Welfare of U.S. Troops

U.S. Smokeless Tobacco's recent distribution of free samples to Marines serving in Iraq is irresponsible in its disregard for the health of American servicemen and women and is an apparent violation of Marine Corps policy.

Risks of New "Reduced Risk" Tobacco Products

Rep. Waxman and Rep. Schakowsky release a new report which finds striking parallels between the marketing of new “reduced risk” tobacco products and the deceptive marketing 30 years ago of “light” and “low tar” cigarettes.

Administration Isolates the U.S. in International Tobacco Control Efforts

In a letter to the President, Rep. Waxman expresses concern about the Administration's continuing attempts to weaken the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, including the Administration's recent opposition to international efforts to prohibit the sale of tobacco products to children.

Little Federal Oversight of Heavy Pesticide Use on Tobacco

A new GAO report released by Rep. Waxman finds that there is heavy use of pesticides on tobacco with virtually no federal oversight. Rep. Waxman writes federal agencies that "these gaping holes in regulation are strong arguments for increased federal oversight."

Document Destruction by Phillip Morris

Rep. Waxman asks the Committee on Energy and Commerce to launch a full investigation into document destruction by Philip Morris Inc., an apparent violation of a federal court order.

Better Oversight of State Tobacco Efforts Needed

Rep. Waxman sent HHS Secretary Thompson a report showing that federal maternal and child health programs do not set high standards for the reduction of smoking by parents and pregnant women.

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