[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 56 (Thursday, April 2, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E873]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           FAMILY SMOKING PREVENTION AND TOBACCO CONTROL ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 2, 2009

  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1256, the 
``Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act.''
  This bill will provide the FDA with the authority to restrict the 
marketing and sale of tobacco products, prohibit false or misleading 
product claims, and establish tougher tobacco product standards to 
better protect the public health. It also requires premarket approval 
of all new tobacco products and sets forth new, stronger standards for 
warning labels.
  Although we've known about the dangers of tobacco use for decades, 
smoking remains alarmingly common among our Nation's youth. Every day 
1,000 youths become regular, daily smokers, and almost 80 percent of 
new tobacco product users were underage when they started smoking.
  Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in our country and, 
according to the Institute of Medicine, accounts for more deaths than 
AIDS, alcohol, cocaine, heroin, homicide, suicide, motor vehicle 
crashes, and fires combined. Furthermore, the Center for Disease 
Control and Prevention estimates that cigarette smoking costs over $193 
billion per year in health care costs and lost productivity.
  We cannot allow tobacco companies to continue to engage in 
underhanded product design, marketing, and sales tactics directed 
toward our children. Stemming the tide of underage smoking will improve 
our public health, lower our Nation's health care spending, and cut 
down on preventable deaths. This bill is a significant step forward in 
the fight against underage smoking, and I urge all of my colleagues to 
join me in voting for the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control 
Act.

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