FDA Warned about Big Tobacco's Marketing Tricks

Twelve months after the date of enactment of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, tobacco manufacturers and others will be prohibited from using descriptors, such as "light", "mild", "low" or "other similar descriptors" in the label, labeling or advertising of tobacco productswithout an order from the FDA because of the scientific evidence that these products do not reduce the risk of disease.

A letter was submitted to the FDA today by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the American Heart Association, the American Legacy Foundation, the American Lung Association, and the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids alerting the FDA of possible industry efforts to get around the ban.

If you see evidence of these efforts in your community, comments can be submitted to the FDA on this and other issues at www.regulations.gov