Senate Leadership Team Working to Secure New FDA Regulatory Authority Over Tobacco

June 4, 2009

Today, Lung Cancer Alliance (LCA) attended a press conference held by the Senate leadership team guiding consideration of historic legislation that would give the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulatory authority over tobacco products.

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), a senior member of the Senate Health, Labor, Education and Pensions Committee (HELP) and Chairman Edward Kennedy's chief deputy whip for health reform, reiterated his call for quick action to protect our children from tobacco addiction and save lives.

Dodd was joined by Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Jack Reed (D-RI) and Matt Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

The legislation would give the FDA legal authority to regulate the sale, distribution and advertising of tobacco products in order to stop tobacco companies from targeting children and misleading the public. LCA has been a strong proponent of the legislation.

Dodd is playing a key leadership role in guiding the legislation through committee and Senate floor consideration.

LCA-Connecticut advocate and lung cancer survivor, Judi Levi, called Dodd's leadership critically important to passing this much needed legislation. "As a lung cancer survivor and former smoker, I understand the need to have a comprehensive plan in place to address lung cancer - strong prevention and control regulations - such as this FDA legislation -- and adequate research funding to advance early detection and better treatment options."

"The FDA bill is an historic opportunity to stop the deliberate targeting of and marketing to youth - just to addict them and recruit them as replacement smokers. I applaud Senator Dodd for his efforts to protect our children and save countless lives."

Lung Cancer Alliance is the only national non-profit organization solely dedicated to patient support and advocacy for the lung cancer community. LCA's mission is to lead the movement to reverse decades of stigma and neglect by empowering those with or at risk for the disease, elevating awareness and changing health policy.

Source: Lung Care Alliance