Barbara Lee Supports Bill to Regulate Tobacco Industry
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) voted to protect our kids and families from the harmful effects of tobacco and tobacco products. The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act will grant the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to regulate the advertising, marketing and manufacturing of tobacco products – giving the FDA the tools it needs to better protect the public health.
"It is long past time that we take a national approach to address the dangers of smoking. I am pleased that the State of California has been a leader on this issue having been one of the first states to move forward in banning indoor smoking in public places, including bars and restaurants. As a result our state has the second lowest prevalence level of smoking among both adults and youth, at 14.8 percent and 13.2 percent respectively.
"This legislation is a step in the right direction. By monitoring and regulating the sale and advertising of tobacco products, we can better protect our children and families. Additionally, we must make sure that we follow through on the regulatory authority provided in this bill to help encourage smokers to quit, and to provide help to those who choose to do so."
The legislation allows the FDA to develop restrictions on the advertising and promotion of tobacco products. The bill also requires tobacco companies to disclose the ingredients in each product and gives the FDA the power to demand changes to those ingredients. The bill requires more specific health warnings and reinstates the 1996 rule restricting the marketing of tobacco products to youth.
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