[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 92 (Thursday, June 18, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1502]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


           FAMILY SMOKING PREVENTION AND TOBACCO CONTROL ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 12, 2009

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Family 
Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (H.R. 1256). Today is a 
historic day for the prevention of disease and promotion of public 
health in America. I commend Chairman Waxman, Chairman Dingell, and 
Chairman Pallone for their leadership in advancing this legislation.
  Tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of death in the 
United States. More than 400,000 people die in the U. S. each year from 
tobacco use, including 5,600 Minnesotans. Another 8.6 million Americans 
are living with a serious illness caused by smoking. Unfortunately, the 
problem continues to grow. Every day, more than 3,500 young Americans 
try a cigarette for the first time. One third of these individuals will 
eventually die prematurely as a result of long-term tobacco use. Even 
those who do not choose to smoke tobacco are put in harms way--for 
every eight smokers who die from using tobacco, one non-smoker also 
loses their life.
  The Food and Drug Administration, FDA, is charged with ensuring the 
safety of food and medicine sold in the United States, but lacks the 
authority to regulate one of the deadliest products in America--
tobacco. This is a loophole American families cannot afford.
  The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, of which I am 
an original cosponsor, would grant the FDA the authority to regulate 
the advertising, marketing, and manufacturing of tobacco products, 
particularly for young people. By prohibiting the colorful marketing of 
tobacco products to children, we can help prevent countless young 
Americans from becoming victims of deceptive advertising. This bill 
will also allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services to approve 
all label statements and to restrict the sale, promotion, and 
distribution of tobacco products for the protection of public health. 
This legislation will also accomplish all of these important goals in a 
fiscally responsible manner--funding for FDA tobacco activity will be 
provided through a user fee on tobacco manufacturers.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bill to pass this bill and send 
it to the President to be signed into law. This is an important step to 
moving towards a healthier America.