Quick Poll results from the October Issue of OncoFacts 2010
The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act is anticipated to significantly reduce the use of tobacco by minors. If the use of tobacco by minors is reduced by 50%, how many children will avoid becoming chronic smokers?
| 100,000 |
 |
6.06% |
|
| 5,000,000 |
|
24.24% |
|
| 10,000,000 |
|
23.23% |
|
| 20,000,000 |
|
22.22% |
|
| 50,000,000 |
|
24.24% |
|
The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act of 2009
On June22, President Obama signed historic legislation granting authority over tobacco products to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Some of the key elements of this legislation include:
• New Center for Tobacco Products: The FDA will create a new Center for Tobacco Products to oversee the science-based regulation of tobacco products in the United States.
• Banning Candy-Flavored Cigarettes: On September 22, 2009 a ban on cigarettes containing certain characterizing flavors went into effect. The FDA’s ban on candy and fruit-flavored cigarettes highlights the importance of reducing the number of children who start to smoke, and who become addicted to dangerous tobacco products. The FDA is also examining options for regulating both menthol cigarettes and flavored tobacco products other than cigarettes.
According to the act
“…a cigarette or any of its component parts (including the tobacco, filter, or paper) shall not contain, as a constituent (including a smoke constituent) or additive, an artificial or natural flavor (other than tobacco or menthol) or an herb or spice, including strawberry, grape, orange, clove, cinnamon, pineapple, vanilla, coconut, licorice, cocoa, chocolate, cherry, or coffee, that is a characterizing flavor of the tobacco product or tobacco smoke.”
• Any company who continues to make, ship or sell such products may be subject to FDA enforcement actions. You are encouraged to report any company that sells cigarettes with these certain characterizing flavors.
• Full disclosure of ingredients and additives: by January 2010, tobacco importers and manufacturers will be required to submit information in their possession to the FDA about ingredients and additives in their tobacco products, a description of the nicotine content and delivery, and the health consequences of tobacco products.
• Stopping youth-focused marketing: by April 2010, the FDA will issue the 1996 regulation that is aimed at reducing access to tobacco products by young people and curbing the appeal of tobacco to the young. A number of measures will take effect including:
o Tobacco manufacturers will no longer be allowed to sponsor sporting, athletic, and entertainment events using tobacco product brand names and logos
o Tobacco manufacturers will no longer be allowed to sell or give away clothing or other items that bear the brand name or logo of a tobacco product
o Tobacco manufacturers will no longer be able to distribute free samples of cigarettes, and free samples of smokeless tobacco will only be allowed in adult-only facilities.
• Prohibiting other marketing measures misleading consumers: By July 2010, tobacco manufactures will no longer be allowed to use the terms light, low, or mild on tobacco products.
• New warning labels: By July 2011, cigarette and smokeless tobacco product warning labels will be revised and strengthened. These warnings will comprise the top 50% of the front and rear panels of the package. The FDA will issue regulations requiring graphics on labels depicting the health risks of smoking.
The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act of 2009 also provides the FDA with authority to regulate the marketing and promotion of tobacco products and to set performance standards for tobacco products to protect public health.
References
US Government Printing Office. Family Smoking prevention and Tobacco Control Act. 2009. Available from: http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:h1256enr.txt.pdf. Accessed October 13, 2009.
The White House. Office of the Press Secretary. Fact Sheet: The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act of 2009. 2009. Available from: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Fact-sheet-and-expected-attendees-for-todays-Rose-Garden-bill-signing. Accessed October 13, 2009.
* The aggregate results from this question were compiled from the responses submitted by oncologists who participated in the OncoFacts Quick Poll monthly question.