Van Hollen Statement on the First Anniversary of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act
Rules to Crack Down on Tobacco Marketing to Kids and New Tobacco Labels Take Effect Today
Washington,
Jun 22, 2010 -
Today Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen issued the following statement on the one year anniversary of Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act and the rules to crack down on tobacco marketing to kids and new tobacco labels that take effect today:
“One year ago today, President Obama signed into law historic legislation that gave the Food and Drug Administration authority to regulate tobacco products – action that was long overdue. For generations, tobacco companies knowingly exploited and targeted our kids by marketing their deadly products through flavored cigarettes, false advertising and manipulating the product’s ingredients – all to ensure that their profit margins remained high.
“This legislation, of which I was an original cosponsor, gives the FDA the tools it needs to address a problem that kills more than 400,000 Americans every year, and help prevent the next generation of Americans from becoming addicted. I was proud to join my colleagues in passing this important measure, and encourage the FDA to use the full authority contained in it to protect the health and safety of all Americans.”
The following provisions of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act become effective today:
- FDA rules that limit the sale, distribution, and marketing of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco to protect the health of children and adolescents become legally enforceable
- Provisions that prohibit the advertising or labeling of tobacco products with the descriptors “light,” “mild,” or “low” or similar descriptors without an FDA order
- Requirements that new, larger health warning labels for smokeless tobacco products begin to rotate on labels, labeling, and advertising and begin to be displayed on smokeless tobacco packaging
Congressman Chris Van Hollen
