APHA Commends Senate Passage Of Tobacco Legislation, USA

Main Category: Smoking / Quit Smoking
Article Date: 14 Jun 2009 - 0:00 PDT

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Statement from Georges C. Benjamin, MD, FACP, FACEP (E), Executive Director, American Public Health Association, "The American Public Health Association applauds the Senate for today passing the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. The legislation will protect the health of Americans, particularly children, by giving the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to regulate tobacco products.

"For decades the tobacco companies have marketed their deadly products to our children, deceived consumers about the harm their products cause, and failed to take any meaningful action to make their products less harmful or less addictive. This tobacco control legislation provides an opportunity to finally end the special protection enjoyed by the tobacco industry and protect our children and the nation's health instead.

"The legislation meets the high standard established by the public health community for tobacco regulation and will give the FDA authority to effectively regulate the manufacturing, marketing, labeling, distribution and sale of tobacco products.

"APHA looks to the House to quickly pass the Senate bill and send the president this long-awaited legislation for his signature. With so much at stake, we cannot afford to wait any longer to take action to protect the health of our children and our nation."

Source
American Public Health Association