[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 56 (Thursday, April 2, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E875]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           FAMILY SMOKING PREVENTION AND TOBACCO CONTROL ACT

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                               speech of

                           HON. RUSH D. HOLT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 1, 2009

  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my support of H.R. 1256, 
the ``Family Smoking Prevention And Tobacco Control Act.''
  I feel strongly about the dangers of cigarettes and the need for 
regulation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The dangers of 
smoking are well known--about one in five deaths in the United States 
can be attributed to tobacco products, which adds up to 440,000 
Americans killed every year. Another 50,000 people die every year from 
secondhand smoke. Many of these deaths are linked to the thousands of 
harmful chemical compounds in every cigarette, including benzene, 
arsenic, formaldehyde, and ammonia.
  I am pleased to be an original cosponsor of the H.R. 1256. This 
legislation would require the regulation of tobacco products by the 
FDA. This legislation would also require cigarette manufacturers to 
print warning labels with text warnings detailing the smoking related 
diseases such as lung, heart, or mouth cancer. The warning labels are 
required to occupy 30 percent of the front and rear panels of a 
cigarette package, carton, or advertisement.
  Unfortunately, the lack of sufficient regulatory authority means that 
while the FDA works to keep harmful chemicals out of everyday food 
products, they have no ability to do the same with cigarettes. This 
bill, which enjoys the support of almost 700 public health groups, 
faith associations, and other organizations from around the country, 
would ensure that consumers are adequately informed about the real 
risks of tobacco use and protected from misleading advertising.
  I have long supported giving the FDA clear authority to regulate 
cigarettes and other tobacco products and I urge my colleagues to pass 
this legislation granting them such authority.

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