Final Passage of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1256, the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act.  I appreciate the Senate’s swift consideration of this bill.  After many years of consideration, I am pleased the bill will finally be signed into law.

As one of the deadliest products on the market, tobacco must be subject to the same serious regulation and oversight that most other products consumed by Americans are subject to.  This bill would ensure that Americans are aware of the harmful effects posed by tobacco products. 

Importantly, the legislation would ensure that tobacco products are not advertised or sold to children.  Addiction to tobacco begins almost universally in childhood and adolescence.  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 sponsorship 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 will go a long way in preventing young people in America from starting to smoke and will save billions of dollars and countless lives in the future.

I do want to emphasize that 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 take steps to reduce the harm caused by tobacco products. This legislation preserves an adult’s choice to smoke and would make sure those tobacco products that are marketed as a safe alternative to cigarettes are in fact, scientifically safer.

I am pleased to have worked with my colleague Henry Waxman on this legislation and I hope that all of my colleagues will join with me in supporting the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act.  With that I yield back.