House Passes Historic Bill to Protect Kids from Tobacco; Senator Grassley Should Cosponsor L...( WASHINGTON July 30 -- The U.S. H...),Health

WASHINGTON, July 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. House of Representatives today took a historic step to save lives by passing legislation that grants the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authority over tobacco products, including the authority to crack down on tobacco marketing and sales to kids. The bill passed with an overwhelming majority and broad, bipartisan support. The bill now goes to the U.S. Senate for consideration. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) is a cosponsor. Public health organizations called on Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA) to join him and cosponsor this life-saving legislation.

"Senator Grassley has a critical role to play in ensuring that strong FDA tobacco regulation is enacted into law," said William Corr, Executive Director of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. "The tobacco industry spends $13.4 billion a year marketing its products and $176 million in Iowa. We call on Senator Grassley to join Senator Harkin and cosponsor the bill that would grant the FDA authority over tobacco. It's time for Senator Grassley to stand up for Iowa's kids and help pass strong FDA legislation."

Among other things, the legislation would:

-- Crack down on tobacco marketing and sales to kids;

-- Require larger, more effective health warnings on tobacco products;

-- Require tobacco companies to disclose the contents of tobacco products;

-- Grant the FDA authority to require changes in tobacco products, such as removal or reduction of harmful ingredients;

-- Stop tobacco companies from misleading the public about health risks of their products.

Unbelievably, despite all the harm they cause, tobacco products are exempt from basic health regulations that apply to other products, such as food, drugs, and even cosmetics. The tobacco companies continue to take advantage of this lack of regulation to market their deadly and addictive products to our children, deceive consumers about the harm their prod
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