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June 22, 2010 Contact: Robert Reilly
Deputy Chief of Staff
Office: (717) 600-1919
 
  For Immediate Release    

Recognizing the One Year Anniversary of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act

 

 

 

Mr. (Madam) Speaker, today marks the one year anniversary of the enactment of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act.  I was proud to have partnered with Representative Henry Waxman in introducing this bill and seeing its passage through the House of Representatives. 

The Family Smoking Prevention and Control Act took important steps to educate the American public about the harmful effects of tobacco-use.  The law provides the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with the authority to regulate tobacco products and ensures that these products are not advertised or sold to children.

 While many of the provisions of this law are still being implemented by the FDA, a number of important changes have already taken place.  For example, a ban on flavored cigarettes is now being enforced.  Cigarettes with flavors such as strawberry and lemon were clearly marketed toward children and lured young adults into trying their first cigarette. 

In addition, tobacco companies are now prohibited from sponsoring athletic and cultural events, which are widely attended and viewed by millions of children each year.  No longer will a child’s favorite race car driver be covered in tobacco ads nor will a favorite baseball player hit a homerun over a large cigarette banner. 

The FDA has also begun enforcing the prohibition of vending machines that sell tobacco products in settings in which children are present.  Vending machines served as an easy way for minors to access tobacco products since no age verification is present.  Because the vast majority of all smokers try their first cigarette between the ages of twelve and twenty, these important changes will go a long way toward preventing children from trying their first cigarette, and becoming smokers as adults.

Thus far, the FDA has moved expeditiously in their implementation of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act.  I hope that they will continue their efforts to discourage our nation’s young people from smoking and educate them of the harmful effects of tobacco use.  For too long tobacco companies have targeted our nation’s children through cartoon ads, event sponsorship, and free merchandise.  I am confident that the continued implementation of this law will lead to generations of fewer tobacco-addicted youth.

 

 

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