US government catches up with science and the world, finally takes steps to limit cigarettes
According to Center for Disease Control and Prevention statistics, 19.8% of the US population over the age of 18 are cigarette smokers. Among high school students the rate is slightly higher at 20%. Cigarette smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States, causing about 443,000 deaths per year. Despite these alarming figures, every day about 1,100 persons under the age of 18 become regular smokers.
Yesterday the Senate passed a bill that has the potential to reduce those figures. The Senate bill, if passed, will create a tobacco center within the FDA that has the power to control tobacco products. It will give the new tobacco center the authority to limit the levels of addictive nicotine in cigarettes and control advertising. The bill also requires cigarette packaging to contain more obvious and deterring labels that will cover at least 50% of the pack and contain graphic images of the harmful effects of tobacco, like diseased lungs.
In April the House of Representatives passed a similar bill and a BBC article reported that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi expects the House to vote on the Senate version today. President Obama, an admitted smoker who has struggled to quit, said the law will “make history” and that he looks “forward to signing this bill into law.”
The bill, which passed the Senate by a margin of 79 to 17, is particularly aimed at reducing smoking rates among children. It gives the FDA powers to limit flavors that are appealing to children and restrict advertising in publications targeting young people.
Anti-smoking advocates have been pushing for a law allowing tougher tobacco regulation for decades. In fact, the US is rather behind the times when it comes to tobacco legislation. Dozens of countries, including Uruguay, Scotland, Uganda, Norway, Zambia, Bahrain and many others prohibit smoking in all enclosed public spaces. Many others have similar laws but with loopholes for restaurants and bars that provide a separate smoking section. And some countries, including Vietnam and South Africa, have completely banned tobacco advertisements. In Montenegro there is even a ban that forbids smoking on television programs.
The fact that no serious legislation regulating the tobacco industry has been passed in decades is attributed to the strong tobacco lobby. This bill, however, was supported by Philip Morris, the largest manufacturer of tobacco products in the US. Competitors claim that Philip Morris only supports the bill because it will give them an advantage by freezing market shares.
Clearly a law that would curb the use of a deadly drug, especially among children, is something to be lauded. The fact that the US government has finally taken a step towards reducing tobacco consumption is heartening. Now we can only wait and see if it will be strongly implemented.
