WASHINGTON, D.C. September 19, 2013 The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network together with more than a dozen other public health organizations sent a letter to the White House today asking for the administration 's leadership in ensuring that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) moves forward promptly with a rule that would assert the agency 's authority over all tobacco products. These products include e-cigarettes, little cigars, cigars and other tobacco products not currently under its jurisdiction. The Family Smoking and Tobacco Control Act, passed four years ago, gave the secretary of Health and Human Services the authority to determine which tobacco products the FDA should regulate. The FDA originally announced its intent to assert its jurisdiction over these products more than two years ago. Until FDA takes action, there is no FDA oversight of these tobacco products, and no restrictions in place to protect the public health against the risks they pose, particularly to the health of our children. Given the enormity of the burden of death and disease caused by tobacco products, the public health of our nation cannot afford further delay. FDA must issue a rule to regulate all tobacco products, including cigars, little cigars, e-cigarettes and other tobacco products. We urge you do everything in your power to ensure that FDA takes this action without further delay, the letter stated. 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. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Lauren Walens or Steven Weiss American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Phone: (202) 661-5763 or (202) 661-5711 Email: [email protected] or [email protected] #tobacco #ecigarette #FDA #cancer #lungcancer #cigar #ACSCAN