Washington, D.C., July 16, 2004
—The American Public Health Association applauds the U.S. Senate for passing an important amendment late yesterday that provides the Food and Drug Administration with the authority it needs to regulate tobacco and at the same time provides a responsible buyout of tobacco farmers that is paid for by tobacco companies, not the taxpayers. The amendment, offered by Senators Mike DeWine (R-Ohio), Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), was adopted as part of the Foreign Sales Corporation tax legislation.
“This is not only a win; it is a win, win, win,” said Georges Benjamin, MD, FACP, executive director of APHA. “This amendment is a victory for public health, a victory for taxpayers and a victory for farmers. We applaud the leadership in support of taxpayers and public health shown by the sponsors of this amendment.”
Each year, over 440,000 Americans die from smoking-related illnesses. Unlike any other consumer product, tobacco products have escaped all meaningful health or safety oversight by the government. Effective FDA authority over tobacco products will protect public health, improve consumer awareness and save lives.
The FSC legislation now proceeds to a conference committee. APHA remains concerned that opponents of effective FDA tobacco regulation will seek to weaken this provision in the conference committee. APHA urges conferees to honor the bipartisan support for this legislation, carefully crafted and negotiated; that both protects the public’s health and can pass in this Congress.