Senator Collins supports bill to better regulate tobacco products

Collins is original cosponsor of legislation that passed the Senate today 79-17
Senator Collins voted to support legislation that would give the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority it needs to regulate the production and marketing of tobacco products. Senator Collins is an original cosponsor of the “Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act,” which would prevent tobacco companies from using misleading or inaccurate health claims, require them to inform consumers of tobacco product ingredients, and would restrict tobacco advertising and promotions that target children.

“Tobacco is the number one preventable cause of death in the United States today,” said Senator Collins. “Despite all the harm they cause, however, tobacco products are exempt from even the most basic health and safety regulations. This long-overdue legislation gives clear and comprehensive authority to the FDA to regulate tobacco products and better protect adults and children from the dangers of tobacco.”

The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act has been endorsed by a wide array of national public health and medical groups including the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, the American Lung Association, the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, the American Public Health Association, the American Medical Association, the American Osteopathic Association, the American Dental Association, the March of Dimes, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, AARP, the Children’s Defenses Fund and Families U.S.A.

Maine organizations endorsing the bill include the Maine Medical Association, the Maine Dental Association, the Maine Lung Association, the Maine Academy of Family Physicians, the American Cancer Society - Maine, and the Maine CDC.