American Lung Association Statement on House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations Action to Undermine Tobacco Control Act
For media interested in speaking with an expert about lung health, tobacco use and tobacco policies, contact the American Lung Association at Media@Lung.org or 312-801-7628.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 18, 2015)—
Statement of Harold P. Wimmer, National President and CEO, American Lung Association:
“The American Lung Association is deeply disappointed that the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Related Agencies chose to include a provision that would grandfather in thousands of unregulated tobacco products currently on the market, including e-cigarettes, little cigars and hookah. This provision would significantly weaken FDA’s authority over these unregulated tobacco products and open the door to candy-flavored products marketed to kids for years to come.
“This provision will take away FDA’s authority to review the health harms of the thousands of brands of e-cigarettes, cigars, little cigars, cigarillos and hookah - many flavored like fruit, bubble gum and gummi bears - from basic pre-market review. All Americans, including our children, deserve basic protections from these unregulated products.
“This outrageous favor for the tobacco industry comes at a time when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that e-cigarette use among youth tripled in one year. This provision shows that some in Congress are still willing to prioritize Big Tobacco over the health of our nation, particularly young people who will become the next generation of addicted smokers and tobacco users.”
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About the American Lung Association The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease, through research, education and advocacy. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to improve the air we breathe; to reduce the burden of lung disease on individuals and their families; and to eliminate tobacco use and tobacco-related diseases. For more information about the American Lung Association, a holder of the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Guide Seal, or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit: Lung.org.
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