WASHINGTON, DC - In an effort to help save lives, reduce health care costs, and hold the tobacco industry accountable, the U.S. Senate today passed the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act by a vote of 79-17. This legislation, long supported by Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), gives the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authority to regulate tobacco products and prohibit misleading tobacco advertisements.

"I am pleased the Senate passed this bill, which will help curb smoking and reduce health care costs nationwide. This legislation will give the FDA the power to regulate tobacco manufacturing and advertising and prevent tobacco companies from targeting minors, misleading consumers, and including hazardous additives in their products. Passing this legislation is a critical step that will help save thousands of lives and billions of taxpayer dollars each year," said Senator Jack Reed, a member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee.

According to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, 1,600 smokers die annually in Rhode Island and an additional 140 nonsmokers die annually in the state from exposure to second hand smoke. The group estimates that annual health care expenditures in Rhode Island directly caused by tobacco use is $506 million.

"Smoking is a public health problem and an economic problem that costs Americans over $100 billion each year in health care costs," said Reed. "This bill takes a preventative approach to the problem and will reduce smoking-related deaths and illnesses while at the same time reducing the multibillion-dollar burden smoking places on our nation."

Every year, 4,700 children in Rhode Island alone try a cigarette for the first time, leading to approximately 1,400 children in the state becoming regular daily smokers on an annual basis. These new smokers become part of the 8.6 million individuals nationwide suffering from smoking-caused illnesses. They become part of the 400,000 deaths every year attributed to tobacco use.

"Passing this legislation will help reduce health care costs, prevent young people from smoking, and create a healthier future for our nation," concluded Reed.

The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act would give the FDA broad authority over the ingredients, manufacturing, packaging, and marketing of cigarettes and other tobacco products. Specifically, the bill would:

• Authorize the FDA to regulate tobacco products with new standards and requirements that are specifically tailored to the substance.

• Enable the FDA to restrict tobacco advertising and marketing practices that target children and mislead the public by regulating the sale, distribution, and advertising of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco "consistent with and to the full extent permitted by the First Amendment."

• Require stronger print and new graphic warning labels for all tobacco packages and advertising with adjustments in format, type, size, and text. The new labels would be required to have an unambiguous description of the health problems that may result from tobacco use. The FDA would have the authority to update these labels.

• Prevent misrepresentation by tobacco manufacturers of the addictiveness of nicotine in their products. The FDA would also have authority to require prior approval of statements made on the label of a tobacco product.

• Authorize the removal of hazardous ingredients to ensure that the inherent risk of using tobacco products is not unnecessarily increased. Tobacco products must meet specific product standards and pre-market review. The FDA would have the authority to update the requirements based on new medical, scientific, or other data.

• Ensure tobacco companies, not American taxpayers, bear the cost of regulation by establishing a user fee on tobacco manufacturers and importers, based on their market share.

The legislation is supported by President Barack Obama, FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg, and hundreds of public health advocacy groups such as the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, the American Lung Association, and the American Medical Association.

The bill must now be passed the U.S. House of Representatives before it can go to the President's desk to be signed into law.