Causecast

by CLAIRE DALTON, Contributing Writer

Today, President Obama signed legislation that will give the FDA regulatory control over the tobacco industry. A new office within the FDA’s ultimate objective is to reduce the number of young people using tobacco products. To do so, they will regulate the products and marketing of the tobacco industry.

First, they have banned flavored cigarettes in hopes that youth will find them less appealing, as well as requiring the elimination of words such as “light” or “mild” on packaging and advertisements. The legislature also puts limits on where cigarette vending machines can be (in adult-only establishments) and where the advertisements can be (no closer than 1000 feet from schools and playgrounds.) Sports and entertainment sponsorships by tobacco companies must also cease.

Second, it requires all tobacco products to go through the new office before hitting the market. Among the FDA’s capabilities is to require a detailed list of ingredients as well as changes to said ingredients, including reducing nicotine levels. They also will require the warning labels to cover at least 50% of the front and back of tobacco products and be more explicit in their language.

There’s some concern about what this legislature will mean for tobacco farmers, but let’s be honest—minimizing the number of smokers in the US will affect tobacco farmers, regardless of if it’s a result of the government or an external advocacy or education group. The problem is in the fact that the government’s involvement directly conflicts with these farmers’ livelihood. Can you imagine if the government told Apple what products they can sell? No more colored iPods? No more GPS on the iPhone? There would be outrage. And while neat gadgets aren’t exactly on par with tobacco products, it is still just as difficult for these farmers.

While acknowledging that and remembering it is still the responsibility of each individual to decide whether or not they want to use tobacco, history has shown us that we often need something larger than ourselves to protect us from ourselves. Though there has been some question as to the fine line this new legislature walks along between being a watchdog and limiting free speech, the American public has long trusted the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to fairly make this distinction. And since the FDA is already trusted by most Americans, it allows the government to be more effective in eliciting change.

Regardless of how you feel about the FDA’s new role, no one can deny the potential health benefits of this new law. If you’d like to show your support, there are a number of things you can do:
•Create a blog post on your Causecast profile.
•Spread the word with the help of the folks from Truth.

And of course, join the movement. Commit to a tobacco-free life and be an example for others.

Photo by michelini, stock.xchng