Washington, D.C. – September 7, 2010 – “Two studies issued today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and featured in the CDC publication Vital Signs illustrate the need for strong tobacco control policies to combat smoking and exposure to deadly secondhand smoke. One study finds that 20.6 percent of U.S. adults are daily smokers, a number that has remained largely unchanged over the past five years following seven years of decline. Another study reveals that, despite an overall decline in secondhand smoke exposure among nonsmokers, more than 50 percent of U.S. children are exposed to secondhand smoke on a regular basis.
“These findings add urgency to the continued need for strong tobacco control laws nationwide, including tobacco taxes, smoke-free laws, and laws that fully fund tobacco prevention and cessation programs. These laws are proven to reduce adult smoking rates and prevent kids from ever starting to use tobacco. Implementing these policies throughout the U.S. would help address the stagnant smoking rates and reduce secondhand smoke exposure.
“The findings also indicate the need for strong implementation of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, the law granting the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to regulate tobacco products. When properly implemented, this landmark public health law will begin to break the deadly cycle of addiction, put an end to Big Tobacco’s targeting of our nation’s children and encourage more smokers to quit their deadly habit.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Christina Saull
(202) 585-3250
[email protected]
Steven Weiss
(202) 661-5711
[email protected]