ACS CAN Lauds New Legislation That Aims to Reverse Youth Tobacco Epidemic

Bill Would Raise Tobacco Purchase Age to 21, Prohibit Most Flavored Tobacco Products and Restrict E-Cigarette Advertising

EDISON, NJ. – April 16, 2019 – Congressman Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, introduced legislation today that aims to address the skyrocketing rates of youth use of tobacco products, a trend that has been largely driven by the popularity of flavored e-cigarettes. American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) New Jersey Government Relations Director Samantha DeAlmeida joined Pallone at a press conference announcing the bill in Edison this afternoon.

Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act of 2019 would raise the minimum age for purchasing tobacco products to 21 years, prohibit flavoring of almost all tobacco products, restrict advertising of newly deemed tobacco products like e-cigarettes and grant the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to collect user fees from all tobacco product manufacturers. Additionally, the bill would compel the FDA to finalize and enact a rule requiring graphic warning labels be placed on tobacco products, a proven deterrent to tobacco initiation and continued use.

ACS CAN’s New Jersey Government Relations Director Samantha DeAlmeida said:

“We are in a period of unprecedented youth use of tobacco products. Last year, e-cigarette use among young people rose more than 78 percent. Overall youth tobacco product use has risen by 1.3 million children, from 3.6 million in 2017 to 4.9 million in 2018 according to the National Youth Tobacco Survey. Former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb and the U.S. Surgeon General have correctly labelled this problem an epidemic.

“The Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act of 2019 takes important steps to protect our young people from the dangers of tobacco products. We thank Congressman Pallone and look forward to working with him further to save lives and protect our public health.”

About ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is making cancer a top priority for public officials and candidates at the federal, state and local levels. ACS CAN empowers advocates across the country to make their voices heard and influence evidence-based public policy change as well as legislative and regulatory solutions that will reduce the cancer burden. As the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN is critical to the fight for a world without cancer. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.

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