Dear ATS Members,

Today the House overwhelmingly approved (by a vote of 298-112!) bi-partisan legislation co-sponsored by Representatives Henry Waxman and Todd Platts that gives the FDA the authority to oversee and regulate tobacco marketing and sales in the U.S.  The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act establishes FDA regulation of tobacco products that would strengthen measures to protect children from predatory tobacco marketing, improve health and save lives across the nation.

This marks a historic moment and a major victory for those of us who prize the health of this nation over the profits of tobacco companies, and for me it marks the proudest moment of my presidency.  The ATS has been a force in shaping and supporting this bill, which has the potential to save tens of thousands of lives— and it will begin to do so from the very moment that it passes the Senate and President Obama signs it into law, as he has already indicated he will.

Nationally, there are more than 400,000 tobacco-related deaths annually in the U.S. and every day 3,000 teens who try cigarettes and become permanent smokers.

Swift action in the Senate to approve this legislation is imperative now in order to implement FDA regulation of tobacco and loosen the grip of tobacco addiction in the United States for this and every generation to follow.

I would like to thank both the Members of Congress who were instrumental in the crafting and passing of this bill, the ATS members who e-mailed, called or traveled to Washington in support of this legislation and the Washington office staff, particularly Gary Ewart and Nuala Moore, for keeping the ATS members informed and on message in this legislative campaign. 

Jo Rae Wright, Ph.D.