APHA Calls Loss of Provision to Grant FDA Authority to Regulate Tobacco a Huge Missed Opportunity to Save Lives

Washington, D.C., October 6, 2004 – “Today, we are greatly disappointed that a House-Senate conference committee has thwarted the best chance yet to give the Food and Drug Administration the authority to regulate tobacco products. Today’s omission of the FDA provision is a huge missed opportunity to protect the health of millions of Americans.

“Tobacco use kills more than 400,000 Americans each year and costs our nation a massive $75 billion in health care costs. Yet, tobacco products are virtually unregulated. Every day, hundreds of children jeopardize their health by becoming smokers.

“For decades, tobacco companies have deceived consumers about the harm their products cause, and more lives will be at risk if we cannot put federal safeguards in place.

“The conference committee’s report ignores the broad bipartisan support for FDA authority over tobacco already shown in the Senate, where 78 senators supported the measure. We encourage the Senate to reject the conference report without the inclusion of the FDA measure.”