Floor Statement on H.R. 1256 - The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1256, the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. My good friend and former colleague, Congressman Tom Davis, helped to champion this effort with Chairman Waxman for many years. With Congressman Davis' retirement last year, I'm honored to have taken his place as the lead Republican sponsor of this important legislation and to have the privilege of working with Chairman Waxman and his staff on this important effort.

   Mr. Speaker, tobacco is one of the deadliest consumer products on the market today. It kills over 400,000 Americans every year. Yet it is one of the least regulated of all consumer products. In other words, while the FDA has the authority to regulate seemingly harmless products such as lipstick, hair spray and shaving cream, to name just three, the FDA does not have the authority it needs to regulate one of the deadliest, if not the deadliest, products available for sale to our citizens. It is long past time when tobacco products should be subject to serious regulation to protect the public's health. This bill would finally accomplish this important goal.

   First, this legislation would ensure that tobacco products are not advertised to or sold to children. Addiction to tobacco begins almost universally in childhood and in adolescence. Every day, almost 4,000 children try their first cigarette, and over 1,000 become daily smokers. Tobacco companies have long taken advantage of this vulnerability by promoting their products through such tactics as cartoon advertisements, free tobacco -themed merchandise that appeals to kids and through sponsorships of sports and entertainment events.

   With health care costs spiraling out of control every year, the cost of treating these smokers later in life is fast becoming prohibitively expensive. Prohibiting advertising to children would go a long way in preventing young people in America from starting to smoke, and it would save billions of dollars and countless lives in the years to come.

   Second, this legislation would require that tobacco products marketed as safer than other tobacco products are, in fact, demonstrated to be safer. The history of low-tar cigarettes illustrates the grave danger to public health caused by fooling consumers into believing unsubstantiated claims that one kind of cigarette is safer than another. Millions of Americans switched to low-tar cigarettes, believing they were reducing their risk of lung cancer. Many were convinced to switch instead of to quit. It was not until decades later that we learned through the deaths of those smoking low-tar cigarettes that low-tar cigarettes were just as dangerous as full-tar cigarettes. Under this legislation, we will not have to wait for the deaths of millions of more Americans to learn whether a so-called ``safer'' cigarette is what it claims to be.

   This bill does not ban tobacco products. H.R. 1256 would allow the FDA to scientifically evaluate the health benefits and risks posed by ingredients in cigarettes, and it would take steps to reduce the harm caused by tobacco products. This legislation preserves an adult's choice to smoke. Even though I don't believe we want anyone to, it preserves that choice, and we make sure that those tobacco products that are marketed as safe alternatives to cigarettes are, in fact, scientifically proven to be safer.

   Finally, I understand that some individuals have concerns with placing such authority under the FDA. I think it's important to note that the FDA already regulates products that people use to help quit smoking, such as nicotine gums and patches. In addition, this legislation does provide an entirely separate funding stream for the FDA's regulation of tobacco products to ensure that other important efforts carried out by this agency are not diminished.

   I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act.

   For the record, I believe there was reference that the reason we're not completely banning it is because of the influence of tobacco funds in campaigns. If I understand that correctly, I want to be on the record as one who doesn't accept any political action committee funds, including tobacco funds, and I've not received any such funds. Never have. Never will. This is about doing right for American citizens. It's about the health of our citizens. It's especially about the health of our children.

   Vote ``yes'' and oppose this substitute. Support the underlying bill.