Congressional Delegates Supporting New Tobacco Regulation

EAST HARTFORD — The American Lung Association of New England recently congratulated the entire New England Congressional delegation for their leadership and support of the historic US House of Representatives passage of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act.

The landslide 326 to 102 vote this legislation received highlights the bipartisan consensus that the time has come for it to become law. The American Lung Association now calls on the US Senate, where the legislation has 57 sponsors, to pass this important public health bill in September.

HR 1108 will provide the US Food and Drug Administration with the authority it needs to regulate the marketing, production, and distribution of tobacco products, which have been historically exempt from the most basic oversight. Currently the FDA can regulate a box of macaroni and cheese, yet it cannot regulate a pack of cigarettes. Tobacco-related disease is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States, killing more than 400,000 people each year. This measure will protect public health.

Tobacco companies spend billions of dollars on marketing in an attempt to addict a new generation of tobacco consumers. Tragically, more than 1,300 American children become regular smokers each day. This landmark legislation translates into lives saved.

For more information on the American Lung Association of New England visit www.lungne.org

The American Lung Association of New England is part of the American Lung Association, the oldest voluntary health organization in the United States. Established in 1904 to combat tuberculosis, its mission today is to prevent lung disease and promote lung health. The focus is on air quality, asthma, tobacco control, and all lung disease.