Lautenberg Statement On Ftc Proposal To End Deceptive Tar & Nicotine Ratings For Cigarettes

Main Category: Smoking / Quit Smoking
Article Date: 09 Jul 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) has issued the following statement in response to the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) announcement that it will seek to end the ability of cigarette companies to use deceptive tar and nicotine claims. Lautenberg is the leader of Congressional efforts to end the tobacco companies use of the "FTC Method" of measuring tar and nicotine:

"For years, Big Tobacco has relied on the FTC's flawed testing method to mislead smokers into thinking these cigarettes deliver less tar and nicotine. In reality, some so-called 'light' and 'low-tar' cigarettes can actually be more harmful for smokers. Tobacco companies should not be able to hide behind the federal government to deceptively market their deadly products. Smokers deserve to know the truth and today's action will help make sure they get it."

Sens. Lautenberg and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) are the authors of S. 2685, a bill to prohibit the cigarette companies of using the so-called "FTC method" for measuring tar and nicotine. The bill was approved by the Senate Commerce Committee and is currently awaiting action on the Senate floor.

In November, Lautenberg chaired a Senate Commerce Committee hearing to examine the accuracy of the FTC tar and nicotine cigarette rating system, and the marketing claims of tobacco companies based on these ratings. During the hearing, the New Jersey Senator uncovered a lengthy history of false and deceptive cigarette ratings and marketing methods used by the tobacco industry.

Lautenberg is one of the Senate's leaders when it comes to fighting Big tobacco and protecting Americans from the dangers of smoking. He wrote the law that banned smoking on airplanes, which helped trigger a broader smoke-free revolution. Lautenberg is also the author of a law that ban smoking in buildings that house Federally-funded facilities that serve children.

http://www.lautenberg.senate.gov/