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Senate Action to Give FDA Authority Over Tobacco Welcomed, but Philip Morris/Altria Support Raises Warning Flags Infact Encouraged by Move to Regulate Tobacco Products at National Level, Urges Government Officials to Be Extremely Wary of Philip Morris/Altria Support FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACTS: Boston—US Senate passage of legislation to provide the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with authority over tobacco products is being welcomed, but the enthusiastic endorsement of Philip Morris/Altria is raising concerns about the bill. According to Infact, a leading corporate accountability organization, Philip Morris/Altria aggressively fought FDA regulation of tobacco for years. More recently the tobacco giant has reversed its position and sought FDA regulation, presumably seeking to avoid liability for its addictive, deadly products and to secure government support for its marketing of a so-called safer cigarette product. In the US, more than 400,000 people die every year from tobacco-related illnesses, an epidemic driven by the irresponsible and dangerous practices of the tobacco industry. "Infact applauds the long-standing commitment of Senators Kennedy, DeWine and others to effective tobacco control. Granting FDA authority to limit tobacco advertising and promotion, such as Philip Morris/Altrias Marlboro Man image, is an important step toward saving millions of lives. However, caution is advisable whenever Philip Morris/Altria supports tobacco control measures. The final version of the legislation must protect public health, not Philip Morris/Altria," says Infact Executive Director Kathryn Mulvey. Philip Morris/Altria spent $17 million to lobby Congress in 2003. The Senate bill also provides for a $12 billion buy-out of tobacco farmer crop quotas, funded by the tobacco industry. As the drive for accountability of the tobacco industry builds momentum globally, there is increasing incentive for farmers to convert to more socially beneficial crops. "The tobacco quota buy-out has become part of the political reality of securing FDA regulation of tobacco. We support requiring tobacco corporations to pay the costs of helping farmers convert to other crops, but recognize that this buy-out will benefit a small number of people while leaving many tobacco farmers behind," says Mulvey. As the tobacco regulation provision introduced as Amendment S.3563 moves ahead, Infact is also calling on leading Senators to act on the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). The global treaty, adopted by the World Health Assembly last year, will save millions of lives and change the way the tobacco industry operates globally. The FCTC bans tobacco advertising promotion and sponsorship with exceptions only for constitutional reasons, and protects public health policy from tobacco industry interference. The treaty becomes binding international law after 40 countries sign and ratify it; 24 countries have ratified the treaty to date. The US has signed the FCTC, but the treaty has not yet been introduced to the Senate for ratification. Infact members and others committed to public health across the US are speaking up in favor of FDA authority over tobacco with no strings attached and swift US ratification of the FCTC. ### Infact is a nonpartisan membership organization that protects people by waging and winning campaigns challenging irresponsible and dangerous corporate actions around the world. Through bold campaigns and a commitment to win, for over 25 years Infact has forced corporations—like Nestlé, GE and Philip Morris/Altria—to stop irresponsible and dangerous actions. For more information visit www.infact.org. Infact does not endorse, support, oppose, or otherwise advocate the election or defeat of any political candidate or party.
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