On March 4, 2009, the Energy and Commerce Committee approved H.R. 1256, the ‘Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act,’ by a vote of 39 to 13. This legislation will give FDA the authority to prevent the dangerous and all-too prevalent marketing and sales of tobacco to children.

‘This is a historic day in the fight against the prevalence of tobacco use, its toll on human lives, and the clear and pervasive threat tobacco still poses to public health. Granting FDA regulatory authority over tobacco is long overdue,’ said Rep. Waxman, Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee. ‘At its core, the legislation is about protecting our children and our youth. I am hopeful that this year we will finally see this bill enacted into law.’

The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act would provide FDA the authority to regulate tobacco products under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. It would empower the FDA to prevent the marketing and sale of tobacco products to minors, to prevent false or misleading product claims, and to require changes to product content or design to protect public health. The FDA‘s tobacco program would be funded through user fees on tobacco product manufacturers.

The legislation has received wide support from more than 1000 public health and faith organizations including the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, and a group of prominent, bipartisan former public health officials, as well as many other national, state, and local organizations.

• H.R. 1256, the ‘Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act’
• Letters of Support for H.R. 1256 (Updated March 27, 2009)