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