WASHINGTON, D.C. August 5, 2016 The Food and Drug Administration 's (FDA) final deeming rule to assert its authority over all tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes and cigars, takes effect Monday. A statement from Chris Hansen, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), follows:
Monday will mark the end of several deceptive practices the tobacco industry has been using to market its unregulated products, including electronic cigarettes, cigars and hookahs, to our nation 's youth. Retailers will no longer be able to sell these products to minors directly or in vending machines in locations where minors are present. The tobacco industry will also be prohibited from misleading the public with any unproven health claims or handing out free product samples.
While the implementation of the final deeming rule marks a crucial step forward, it comes at a time when lawmakers are considering House proposals that would weaken FDA 's tobacco authority. Specifically, the changes would exempt e-cigarettes and other new products from FDA oversight and alter the äóÖgrandfather date ' for such products so they can stay on the market before their public health effect can be determined.
We urge Congress to preserve the FDA 's critical tobacco regulatory authority and reject attempts to exempt any tobacco products from the agency 's essential oversight.
About ACS CAN
ACS CAN, the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, supports evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. ACS CAN works to encourage elected officials and candidates to make cancer a top national priority. ACS CAN gives ordinary people extraordinary power to fight cancer with the training and tools they need to make their voices heard. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.
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