Other Policy
Research
U.S. smokers favor development of less-addictive cigarettes
According to a recently published study, smokers want cigarettes to be less addictive. Researchers analyzed data from the International Tobacco Control (ITC) United States Survey to learn more about smokers' attitudes and beliefs toward the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. Results show that 71% of smokers were unaware of the authority of the FDA to regulate tobacco, 67% of smokers support reducing nicotine levels in cigarettes and also indicate support for banning cigarette advertising, promotion and marketing activities, and 41% of smokers would support a law that would ban additives and flavoring in cigarettes. The authors believe these data show that smokers were unaware of FDA’s regulatory activities but were supportive of FDA’s efforts to inform the public about the health risks of tobacco. Click here to read the study abstract published in BMC Public Health.
Most Americans support reducing nicotine levels in cigarettes to stop children from taking up smoking
A study conducted by researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health concludes that there is broad public support for tighter regulations on cigarette manufacturing and sales. A nationally-representative survey of smoking and nonsmoking adults was conducted to gauge public opinions on tobacco regulation. The data showed that 77% of respondents (81% of nonsmokers and 74% of smokers) were in favor of reducing nicotine to levels that would make cigarettes non-addictive, if it would reduce the number of kids who become addicted to cigarettes. Overall, 43% of respondents (55% of nonsmokers and 33% of smokers) were in favor of banning cigarettes. Click here to read more, or click here to view the abstract of the research in the American Journal of Public Health.
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Reports
New Legal Consortium resource on the Federal Trade Commission
The Tobacco Control Legal Consortium has published a fact sheet on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The fact sheet discusses the FTC and the role it plays in enforcing tobacco product laws. Although the FDA has authority to regulate the production, manufacturing and sale of tobacco products, the FTC also has regulatory authority over the tobacco industry. It exerts this authority by investigating unfair tobacco industry business practices and enforcing laws that address these practices. Click here to see the fact sheet and learn more about the FTC.
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State Policy
Hawaii e-cigarette bill passes senate committee (HI)
The Hawaii Senate has passed a bill that will prevent minors from purchasing e-cigarettes. The bill originally included a clause that would have taxed e-cigarette sales at the same rate as cigarettes, but that language was removed to focus the bill on youth access. Because little is known about the long-term effects of e-cigarettes, the State Health Department Director thinks that minors should be protected from the possible ill health effects. Click here to read more, and track SB2233by clicking here.
Idaho house OKs e-cig ban for kids (ID)
Legislation that would stop the sales of e-cigarettes to minors has passed the Idaho House and will now move to the Senate. Idaho Representative Bob Nonini, the sponsor of House Bill 405, believes this legislation is important because health officials are unsure of the negative health effects of e-cigarettes, and this measure would protect children from the potential harms. Other advocates believe that banning the sale of the devices sends a message to kids about the dangers of smoking in general. Click here to read more, or click here to view the status of the bill.
NY Gov. Cuomo's budget cuts anti-smoking effort, says advocates (NY)
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s proposed budget cuts will decrease tobacco prevention and cessation funds in the state, according to smoke-free advocates. If the new budget were implemented, $5 million would be taken out of the current $41.4 million that is reserved for smoke-free programming in the state. In FY 2008-2009, the smoke-free programming budget was $80.4 million. A Cuomo administration spokesman says that the budget cuts are necessary in these fiscally challenging times, but programs will still target communities that have a high prevalence of smoking. Health advocates are upset with the proposed budget cuts, as smoking is still the number one cause of preventable death. Read more here.
Rep. Carolyn Tomey wants OLCC to enforce tobacco sales to minors (OR)
Oregon Representative Tomey has introduced a proposal that would grant authority to the Oregon Liquor Control Commission to enforce youth tobacco laws and write citations for violations. In the past, the state police enforced the law prohibiting tobacco sales to minors, but enforcement has dropped off in recent years, possibly due to budget cuts. Currently, the Oregon Health Authority monitors retailers, but they do not have the power to write citations for violations. House Bill 4149 is currently in the Ways and Means committee. Click here to read more.
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National Policy
Obama plan cuts preventive, long-term healthcare funds
Congress and President Obama have reached an agreement on $5 billion in cuts to the Prevention and Public Health Fund over the next ten years. The Affordable Care Act of 2010 initially allocated $15 billion to the Prevention Fund over ten years to support Medicare, Medicaid and other healthcare programs. This funding reduction will leave the government with fewer resources to invest in preventive health programs, such as smoking prevention and cessation programs. The deputy secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) says that tough economic times require the government to make difficult funding decisions. Click here to read more, or click here to read a policy brief on the Prevention Fund and recent cut. Related statement from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids has released a statement against cuts to the prevention fund. The statement notes that chronic diseases and unhealthy behaviors that the prevention fund aims to address bring large costs on the country, but prevention programs have been demonstrated to be cost-effective in many recent studies. Click here to read more.
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