it’s time to stop big tobacco … … and we need your help

It’s time to Stop Big Tobacco …

… and we need your help

About ACS CAN

• Serves as the advocacy and lobbying arm of the American Cancer Society

• Empowers volunteers to take action

• Leads the strong grassroots army of cancer advocates

The Issue

This legislation allows the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate tobacco products

History of the Issue

• Congress debated the issue three years ago

• Senate passed a bill

• House leadership blocked a vote

This year, things are different.

The New Congress

• 2006 elections changed everything– New leadership in the House and

Senate– Many staunch opponents no longer

in power– Bill champions are now in the

leadership positions

“For the first time in a decade, we have a real chance to finally stop Big Tobacco.”

Dan Smith - President, ACS CAN

Deadly Impact of Tobacco

• Impact of Tobacco Products– Kills 400,000 Americans each year

• More than alcohol, car accidents, murders, suicides and fires combined

– Causes 1 in 3 cancer deaths• 90% of lung cancer cases

– Causes 1 in 5 heart disease deaths– Results in $96 billion in annual

health care costs

(Lack of) Tobacco Regulation

Regulated Not Regulated

Ingredients XHealth Claims XMarketing X

• REGULATED BY FDAREGULATED BY FDA

NOT REGULATED!NOT REGULATED!

PHILLIP MORRISPHILLIP MORRIS

Bill Provisions

• The bill requires :– Disclosure of tobacco product

ingredients– Health warnings on packaging– Companies to stop making false

“health claims”– An end to free samples and

marketing to children

Bill Provisions - Disclosure

• Ingredients• Tobacco companies required to:

– Disclose dangerous ingredients to the public

• Similar to food products

– Document health impacts of their products

Bet you didn’t know that cigarettes and their smoke contained:

Arsenic Polonium-210 Formaldehyde Carbon Monoxide Hydrogen Cyanide

Bill Provisions - Disclosure

• Health Warnings

• Bill would require and/or allow for meaningful health warnings similar to those in other countries

Australia Brazil

Canada

Bill Provisions - Contents

• The bill would allow the FDA to:• Regulate nicotine levels in cigarettes

– The main ingredient that causes addiction• Eliminate or reduce other harmful chemicals

in tobacco products• Stop cigarette companies from making

cigarettes even more deadly and more addictive– Although they still would not be safe

Bill Provisions - Marketing

• Why is marketing a problem?

• 90% of all smokers start before the age of 18

• Each day, 4000 kids try their first cigarette

• 1000 of them become addicted daily smokers

Bill Provisions - Marketing

• Bills would allow for a ban on:

• Candy-flavored cigarettes

• Outdoor advertising near schools and playgrounds

• Vending machines in facilities that are not adult-only

• Free samples and give-away items like t-shirts and backpacks

Bill Provisions - Marketing

• Bans the use of misleading labels and false “health claims”– Light– Low tar– Reduced carcinogens

Bill Details

• House• H.R. 1108• Lead Sponsors

– Henry Waxman (D-CA)

– Tom Davis (R-VA)

• Senate• S. 625• Lead Sponsors

– Edward Kennedy (D-MA)

– John Cornyn (R-TX)

Go to www.acscan.org for more

information on the legislation.

You Can Help

Help Us Stop Big Tobacco

• Respond to advocacy alerts from ACS CAN

• Sign-up for the Campaign Insider newsletter

• Join ACS CAN

You can do all of these things at www.acscan.org

Thank you for joining our campaign to

Stop Big Tobacco

www.acscan.org