FDA Ban On Flavored Cigarettes A Strong First Step Under Family Smoking Prevention And Tobacco Control Act

Main Category: Smoking / Quit Smoking
Also Included In: Regulatory Affairs / Drug Approvals
Article Date: 25 Sep 2009 - 10:00 PDT

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By David T. Tayloe, Jr., MD, FAAP, President, American Academy of Pediatrics

"The American Academy of Pediatrics applauds the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its quick implementation of the ban on fruit-, candy- and clove-flavored cigarettes. The swift action by the FDA, under the authority of the new Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, marks the beginning of a historic time for public health advocates and pediatricians. FDA regulation of tobacco will make smoking and tobacco products less appealing and less available to children, our most vulnerable citizens.

"The Academy has a longstanding commitment to strong tobacco regulation, and we were pleased to support the historic passage and signing of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. Candy and fruit flavorings have unfortunately been some of the most egregious examples of marketing tobacco products to children, and the Academy supported the inclusion of this ban in the legislation.

"We also commend the recent appointment of Lawrence Deyton, MD, MSPH, to lead the new Center for Tobacco Products at the FDA. The appointment of this respected leader in public health is a critical step toward preventing youth smoking and promoting child health.

"Smoking is a pediatric disease. Almost all adult smokers start smoking during or prior to their teen years. Every day, 1,000 children become regular smokers and, sadly, one-third of these children will die early from tobacco-related disease. Another 3 million American youth are already habitual smokers.

"In 2005, the Academy made tobacco control a strategic priority, and in 2007, we established the Julius B. Richmond Center of Excellence to foster tobacco-control initiatives and eliminate children's exposure to tobacco and secondhand tobacco smoke.

"The Academy believes that the strongest possible tobacco regulation is necessary to protect our children and adolescents. We urge the FDA to act quickly to expand the ban on flavored cigarettes to all other flavored tobacco products-including smokeless tobacco products-that contribute to the deadly toll of tobacco-related disease on our nation's children and adolescents."

The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.

Source
American Academy of Pediatrics