Congressman Comer Talks Tobacco with Secretary of Agriculture

Press Release

Congressman James Comer spoke with the Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue, about tobacco regulations in an Agriculture Committee meeting Wednesday.

Rep. Comer used a regulation the Obama Administration issued in the final days regarding the amount of N-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) in smokeless tobacco as an example of a broken regulatory system. This unattainable regulation is devastating to tobacco farmers across the first district.

"My hope is that with Secretary Perdue working with Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price we can ensure proper regulations are established that are actually achievable. Dark-fired tobacco is very important in my district, and I want to make sure I do everything I can to help make sure it continues to thrive," said Rep. Comer.

"I was pleased to hear Secretary Perdue's position that sound science and facts, not ideological beliefs, will play an important role in the USDA's approach to rulemaking. Also encouraging were his comments about cooperation amongst the agencies in DC to work toward common goals instead of agency infighting over jurisdictions," Comer added.

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