Rep. Heinrich Votes To Protect New Mexico Youth From Tobacco Products

Press Release

Today, U.S. Representative Martin Heinrich voted in favor of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (H.R. 1256) which passed the House of Representatives by a bipartisan vote of 307 to 97. The legislation gives the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) new regulatory authority over the manufacture, marketing, and distribution of tobacco products. The bill will increase the protections for adolescents by strengthening the prohibition on advertising and access of tobacco products to young people. These provisions and many others in this bill will together yield major benefits to the public health.

"These public health protections for our kids are long overdue," said Rep. Heinrich. "Tobacco poses a significant threat to public health, especially when it's our kids who are being targeted. This legislation prevents tobacco manufacturers from enticing youth to smoke. "

H.R. 1256 requires that FDA's 1996 Rule, restricting tobacco marketing and sales to youth take effect within one year of enactment. The regulation:

* Bans all outdoor tobacco advertising within 1,000 feet of schools and playgrounds;
* Bans all remaining tobacco-brand sponsorships of sports and entertainment events;
* Bans free giveaways of any non-tobacco items with the purchase of a tobacco product;
* Limits to black-and-white text only advertising in publications with significant teen readership, as well as outdoor and point-of sale advertising except in adults-only facilities;
* Restricts vending machines and self-service displays to adult-only facilities; and
* Requires retailers to verify age for all over-the-counter sales and provides for federal enforcement and penalties against retailers who sell to minors.

"I was a proud cosponsor of this legislation and firmly believe we owe it to our children to do a better job of preventing teen smoking," said Rep. Heinrich. "According to a 2006 Centers for Disease Control report, approximately 30 percent of New Mexican youth were smokers. This is an unacceptably high number. By empowering the FDA to regulate tobacco marketing, I hope we can begin to reduce the prevalence of teen smoking in our communities."

The bipartisan bill is supported by more than 1,000 organizations, including the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Heart Association, American Lung Association and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. Phillip Morris USA, the U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company as well as six small tobacco product manufacturers have also come out in support of the legislation.

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