One Year after Tobacco Control Act’s Passage, New Rules
Crack Down on Tobacco Marketing to Kids; Mandate Clearer Labeling

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Diana DeGette (CO-1) applauded tough new rules that take effect today cracking down on tobacco marketing and sales to children, as well as rules requiring much larger health warning labels on smokeless tobacco products and banning the use of deceptive “light” or “low-tar” labels on cigarettes.

“Tobacco is one of the deadliest products sold legally, responsible for more than 400,000 deaths a year and the number one cause of preventable death in the U.S.,” said DeGette.  “The tobacco industry spends more than $12 billion a year in marketing to convince people to become addicted, and perhaps most egregious has, for decades, targeted young people through its marketing techniques.  The law taking effect today finally brings to an end the offensive tactics used by tobacco companies to manipulate young people and hook a new generation on their deadly products.”
 
The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act was signed into law on June 22, 2009, and many key provisions of the law go into effect today – one year after the date of enactment. 

Currently, every day, more than 3,500 young people try a cigarette for the first time, and another 1,000 will become new, regular daily smokers.   One-third of these youth will eventually die prematurely as a result.  Taking effect today are key provisions of the Act that crack down on the industry’s ability to hook young people on their deadly products. 

These provisions include banning all remaining tobacco-brand sponsorships of sports and entertainment events; banning virtually all “giveaways” of non-tobacco items – like hats and t-shirts – with the purchase of tobacco; and prohibiting the sale of cigarettes in packs of less than 20.  The Act also requires that all stores place cigarettes and other tobacco products behind the counter; and restricts vending machines and self-service displays to adult-only facilities.  As opposed to the current state-by-state bans on the sale of tobacco products to people under 18, the Act today extends that ban nationally.

In addition to cracking down on marketing to young people, many provisions mandating larger and more honest labeling also go into to effect.  The Act, starting today, bans terms like “light,” “mild,” or “low-tar,” which have long erroneously implied to smokers that these products help reduce the risk from smoking.  The Act also requires larger warning labels for smokeless tobacco, mandating that warnings must cover 30 percent of package display panels and 20 percent of advertising.

“While we still have a long way to go, today marks an important step in stemming the scourge of tobacco addiction.  I have long supported Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulation of tobacco products, and now that they have that ability, the FDA has been able to do a lot over the last year since the Act became law.  As these key provisions take effect today, I am confident this will improve health and save lives.”

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