Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Berman voted to protect kids and families from the harmful effects of tobacco and tobacco products.  The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act will grant the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to regulate the advertising, marketing and manufacturing of tobacco products – giving the FDA the tools it needs to better protect the public health.

Tobacco remains the number-one cause of preventable death in America.  Nearly half a million Americans die from tobacco each year – with another 8.6 million suffering chronic illnesses. By monitoring and regulating the sale and advertising of tobacco products, we can better protect our children and families.

The legislation allows the FDA to develop restrictions on the advertising and promotion of tobacco products.  The bill also requires tobacco companies to disclose the ingredients in each product and gives the FDA the power to demand changes to those ingredients.  The bill requires more specific health warnings and reinstates the 1996 rule restricting the marketing of tobacco products to youth.

Every day, more than 3,500 young people try a cigarette for the first time while another 1,000 become regular, daily smokers.  About one third of these kids will die prematurely as a result. This bill gives the FDA the necessary power to prevent tobacco sales to kids and educate our youth about the very serious risks of these products.

The bipartisan bill is supported by more than 1,000 organizations, including the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Heart Association, American Lung Association and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.  Phillip Morris USA, the U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company as well as six small tobacco product manufacturers have also come out in support of the legislation.