Bill to Regulate Tobacco Clears House

WASHINGTON – After introducing bipartisan legislation to help Americans quit smoking, U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO), Vice Chair of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, joined her colleagues in the House of Representatives today in passing H.R. 1256, The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act with strong bipartisan support, 298 to 112. This legislation gives the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authority to regulate tobacco. U.S. Rep. DeGette also secured a provision in the bill that requires a study and report to better inform Congress about public health implications of the tobacco purchase age.

"Tobacco is one of the deadliest products sold legally," said U.S. Rep. DeGette, a cosponsor of the legislation. "The tobacco industry has a long history of marketing its products to kids. I've supported FDA regulation of tobacco products for years because it will improve health and save lives. We must stay focused on stopping tobacco companies from hooking a new generation on their deadly products."

The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act is supported by over 1,000 public health, faith, and other organizations from around the country, including the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, and Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

The legislation

· Grants FDA authority to restrict tobacco marketing, including advertising and promotion of tobacco to youth

· Requires tobacco companies to disclose the ingredients in their products

· Allows FDA to require changes to tobacco products to protect public health. FDA would have authority to reduce nicotine, but not to reduce nicotine in a product to zero or to ban a class of tobacco products

· Regulates so-called "reduced harm" claims such as "light" or "low-tar," which can mislead consumers about the health effects of tobacco use

· Requires larger, more specific health warnings on tobacco products

The bill would fund FDA tobacco regulation activities through a user fee on tobacco manufacturers. The measure now moves to the U.S. Senate for its consideration.

U.S. Rep. DeGette, joined by U.S. Rep. Todd Russell Platts (R-PA), Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Edward Kennedy (D-MA), introduced legislation in the House and Senate yesterday to help people quit smoking. The Quit Smoking for Life Act provides Medicare and Medicaid coverage for tobacco cessation treatments. Tobacco cessation medications and evidence-based counseling greatly increase the odds of quitting smoking successfully. Moreover, evidence from rigorous research shows that tobacco cessation treatment is highly cost-effective. Accordingly, the Institute of Medicine recommends that all health insurance plans should cover effective smoking cessation programs. However, these treatments are not currently available to many tobacco users who are struggling to quit.

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