[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 94 (Tuesday, June 22, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1157]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE FAMILY SMOKING PREVENTION 
                        AND TOBACCO CONTROL ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. TODD RUSSELL PLATTS

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 22, 2010

  Mr. PLATTS. Madam Speaker, today marks the one year anniversary of 
the enactment of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. 
I was proud to have partnered with Representative Henry Waxman in 
introducing this bill and seeing its passage through the House of 
Representatives.
  The Family Smoking Prevention and Control Act took important steps to 
educate the American public about the harmful effects of tobacco-use. 
The law provides the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with the 
authority to regulate tobacco products and ensures that these products 
are not advertised or sold to children.
  While many of the provisions of this law are still being implemented 
by the FDA, a number of important changes have already taken place. For 
example, a ban on flavored cigarettes is now being enforced. Cigarettes 
with flavors such as strawberry and lemon were clearly marketed toward 
children and lured young adults into trying their first cigarette.
  In addition, tobacco companies are now prohibited from sponsoring 
athletic and cultural events, which are widely attended and viewed by 
millions of children each year. No longer will a child's favorite race 
car driver be covered in tobacco ads nor will a favorite baseball 
player hit a homerun over a large cigarette banner.
  The FDA has also begun enforcing the prohibition of vending machines 
that sell tobacco products in settings in which children are present. 
Vending machines served as an easy way for minors to access tobacco 
products since no age verification is present. Because the vast 
majority of all smokers try their first cigarette between the ages of 
twelve and twenty, these important changes will go a long way toward 
preventing children from trying their first cigarette, and becoming 
smokers as adults.
  Thus far, the FDA has moved expeditiously in their implementation of 
the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. I hope that they 
will continue their efforts to discourage our nation's young people 
from smoking and educate them of the harmful effects of tobacco use. 
For too long tobacco companies have targeted our nation's children 
through cartoon ads, event sponsorship, and free merchandise. I am 
confident that the continued implementation of this law will lead to 
generations of fewer tobacco-addicted youth.

                          ____________________