American Lung Association Applauds Energy and Commerce Committee for its Strong Commitment to Protecting Public Health From the Dangers ...( Life-saving Legislation Is Now Re...),Health

Life-saving Legislation Is Now Ready for Action on the House Floor

WASHINGTON, April 2, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is a statement by Bernadette A. Toomey, President and CEO, American Lung Association:

The American Lung Association applauds the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee for its passage of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (H.R. 1108). We urge the full House to quickly take action to move this life-saving legislation forward so it can become law this year.

Tobacco products kill over 438,000 Americans each year. This legislation will finally provide the U.S. Food and Drug Administration with the authority it needs to regulate the production and marketing of tobacco products, which have been historically exempt from the most basic oversight.

This legislation would require tobacco companies, for example, to stop using misleading or inaccurate health claims; to inform consumers of tobacco product ingredients; to make products less harmful and addictive if possible; and to limit marketing to young people.

Every day, more than 1,100 American children become regular, daily smokers. Tobacco companies spend billions of dollars to create products like candy-flavored cigarettes in attempt to lure a new generation of tobacco consumers. We cannot allow this to continue.

We thank Chairman John Dingell (D-MI), Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA), Chairman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) for their leadership and commitment to this legislation and to protecting public health from the dangers of tobacco products.