Archive for the ‘tobacco’ Category

Something We Can Agree On

Friday, August 7th, 2009

On June 22, the government passed the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. Public health organizations from all sides had nothing but praise for this measure. According to ADA President, Dr. John S. Findley, “Dentists are the first line of defense in the war against cancer and many other tobacco-related diseases. The American Dental Association heartily commends Congress for passing the FSPTC Act.”
Tobacco is responsible for a myriad of diseases, from emphysema, heart disease and severe peripheral artery disease, to lung cancer and probably the most fatal of all, oral cancer. One person dies every hour from oral cancer in the U.S. Other diseases manifested in the mouth, such as gum disease, decay, leukoplakia and diabetes are either aggravated or caused by smoking or chewing tobacco. Dr. Kathleen O’Loughlin, the ADA executive director, was invited to attend the signing of the bill, and had this to say: “The passing of this bill speaks to the power of broad-based support from very different and unique advocacy organizations coming together from different places and perspectives yet united by a common urgent public health issue.”
The mantle of the control of tobacco will now pass to the FDA from the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, BATF ( I suppose now they will just be the BAF). So what will the FDA do with their new responsibilities? At least for now, they are inviting health agencies and even public opinion to help implement the new laws. It’s nice to see everyone on the same page. Of course, this will mean much higher tobacco taxes. I’m never in favor of higher taxes, but maybe we could just call this one “tough love.”

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