Press Release Source: Altria Group, Inc.
Altria Group, Inc. and Philip Morris USA Reaffirm Support for Strong Federal Regulation of Tobacco Products
Thursday February 15, 2:39 pm ET
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Altria Group, Inc. and its domestic tobacco company Philip Morris USA today reaffirmed their longstanding support for granting the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authority to effectively regulate tobacco products, and urged Congress to take quick action on the FDA legislation sponsored by Senators Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and John Cornyn (R-TX), and Representatives Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Tom Davis (R-VA).
"The Kennedy/Cornyn and Waxman/Davis FDA bills set forth a comprehensive national tobacco policy that could potentially, and most importantly, create a competitive environment focused on reducing the serious harm tobacco products cause," said Steven C. Parrish, senior vice president, corporate affairs, Altria Group, Inc. "The strong views and concerns expressed recently about tobacco policy highlight the growing public consensus for Congress to enact broad regulation of tobacco products."
Parrish added, "We wholeheartedly support the FDA legislation introduced today in its entirety. This thoughtful legislative approach offers the best way to advance real solutions to the many complex issues involving tobacco."
The companies believe the legislation would also bring predictability and clear standards to the tobacco industry in the United States.
"FDA regulation creates a uniform set of federal standards for the manufacture and marketing of all tobacco products," noted Michael E. Szymanczyk, chairman and chief executive officer of Philip Morris USA. "In addition, regulation will provide clear guidelines and oversight of products that could potentially reduce the harm caused by tobacco use."
"This legislation will deliver its greatest benefits to tobacco consumers by providing a new framework within which manufacturers can focus on reducing the harm of their products. As in any industry, the companies that do the best job of exceeding their consumers' expectations, while meeting regulatory standards, will also achieve the best business results. However, we think the consumer will be and should be the primary beneficiary of FDA regulation."
The FDA legislation introduced today has significant breadth and depth to provide a framework and standards for the manufacturing and marketing of all tobacco products. Key legislative provisions, among many, include:
Regulation of nicotine. The FDA would have authority to reduce nicotine yields and to reduce or eliminate harmful smoke constituents or harmful components of tobacco products;
Authority for the FDA to regulate descriptors such as "light" and "low tar";
Changing the language of the current cigarette and smokeless tobacco product health warnings, enlarging their size and granting FDA authority to require new warnings in the future;
Full disclosure of ingredients added to tobacco products;
Authority for the FDA to require ingredient testing and to remove harmful ingredients;
Authority for the FDA to do more to prevent minors from using tobacco products;
Authority to establish standards for products that could potentially reduce the harm caused by tobacco products and to define the appropriate ways to communicate about these products; and
A ban on the sale of candy and fruit-flavored cigarettes.
Altria Group is the parent company of Kraft Foods, the world's second largest food company, Philip Morris International, the world's leading international cigarette company and Philip Morris USA, the leading cigarette manufacturer in the United States. For more information about Altria, its operating companies and the recently introduced FDA legislation, visit www.altria.com/fda.
Philip Morris USA is an operating company of Altria Group. For more information about Philip Morris USA, its products, programs and positions on tobacco-related issues, visit www.philipmorrisusa.com.
Contact:
Altria Group, Inc.
Lisa Gonzalez, 917-663-2144
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Source: Altria Group, Inc.
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