[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 89 (Monday, June 15, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1426]
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. DAVID E. PRICE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 12, 2009

  Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Waxman 
for his leadership on this important legislation--and on the whole 
range of public health issues before the Congress--and have talked 
extensively with him about the intention of the use of the term ``small 
business tobacco manufacturing industry'' as it concerns the Scientific 
Advisory Committee established in Section 917(b)(1).
  H.R. 1256 provides for the establishment of a 12-member Tobacco 
Products Scientific Advisory Committee and stipulates that one of the 
members of the Committee shall be a ``representative of the interests 
of the small business tobacco manufacturing industry'' that may be 
filled on rotating, sequential basis by representatives of different 
``small business tobacco manufacturers.''
  For the purpose of phrasing in compliance with certain requirements 
of this act Section 900(16) of the bill defines ``small tobacco product 
manufacturers'' as those having fewer than 350 employees. However, the 
bill does not define what constitutes a ``small business tobacco 
manufacturer'' as it relates to the SAC.
  Chairman Waxman has assured me that I am correct in concluding that 
the term in section 917(bX1) regarding membership on the Advisory 
Committee is different from--and need not be interpreted as the same 
as--the one used in proposed new section 900(16).
  Additionally, Chairman Waxman has assured me that when section 
917(b)(1) says that one member of the Scientific Advisory Committee 
must be a representative of the ``small business tobacco manufacturing 
industry'' that does NOT mean that the person must be a representative 
of a ``small tobacco products manufacturer'' as defined in section 
900(16).
  I appreciate the chair's effort to ensure that small manufacturers 
have a seat at the table on the Scientific Advisory Committee. The 
passage of this important legislation is a victory for public health 
and our nation's children. I have supported this bill in both this and 
the last Congress because I believe we must place a far greater 
emphasis on youth smoking prevention and the elimination of tobacco 
advertising aimed at children. The Food and Drug Administration is the 
logical agency to take on the new regulatory responsibilities, and 
Congress and the Obama Administration need to make sure they have 
adequate support to carry out this important job.

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