FDA comes down hard on tobacco: Issues new rules for advertisements

Tech Jackal

Source: http://www.techjackal.net/other/2010/06/23/fda-comes-down-hard-on-tobacco-issues-new-rules-for-advertisements/

On Tuesday new Food and Drug Administration rules for cigarette advertisements took effect in the U.S. The new regulations effect the health warning labels on cigarettes, the use of misleading terms such as “light, “low,” and “mild” and will also put in place tougher sales restrictions to prevent access for youth.

The battle against tobacco and its health effects has been a long one. The FDA first attempted to assert control over tobacco sales in 1996, but the Supreme Court ruled that Congressional approval was needed. In 2009 both the House and Senate passed legislation that would regulate the manufacturing, marketing, and sale of tobacco products. President Barack Obama signed the bill into law on June 22, 2009.

The provisions in the Tobacco Control Act became effective Tuesday and give the FDA the power to regulate tobacco products in the interest of protecting public health. The new mandate also gives the FDA power to reduce tobacco use by children. The new stricter guidelines for the tobacco industry will be initiated over an extended period, but several key rules took effect Tuesday such as:

- Larger and stronger health warning labels must appear on products manufactured after June 22, 2010
- The tobacco industry is prohibited from using the terms “light,” “low,” or “mild” on labels
- No one under 18 may purchase cigarettes. Several states have this law, but it is now a Federal law
- Branded sponsorships of athletic or cultural events are prohibited

The new FDA regulations are not only aimed at preventing misleading advertising from tobacco companies, but are looking to prevent youth from taking up smoking. While youth smoking is on the decline, the number of youth who currently smoke or will begin smoking is still startlingly high.