Strategy & Approach - Altria

The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, enacted in June 2009, granted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration the authority to regulate tobacco products.

Currently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates cigarettes, cigarette tobacco, "roll-your-own" tobacco and smokeless tobacco products; however, the law allows the FDA to extend its authority to regulate other tobacco products, including cigars and pipe tobacco. The FDA has indicated that regulation of cigars is on its agenda of items for possible rule-making.

 

Strategy & Approach

Altria Group and its tobacco companies stood alone within the tobacco industry in support of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (FSPTCA). We believe that this regulation can provide significant benefits to adult tobacco consumers by, among other things:

  • Establishing a common set of high standards for all tobacco manufacturers and importers doing business in the U.S.;
  • Providing a framework for the evaluation of tobacco products that are potentially less harmful than conventional cigarettes; and
  • Creating clear principles for accurate and scientifically grounded communications about tobacco products to adult tobacco consumers.


We also believe that such a framework offers significant benefits to us and others in the tobacco industry. Tobacco products and tobacco companies have been a source of considerable conflict and controversy over the years. By supporting FDA regulation, we hope to provide leadership in helping resolve many of the issues that concern the public, our consumers, the public health community and our tobacco companies, including a framework for guidance on harm reduction efforts.

Altria believes that regulation is best achieved through an approach that draws upon the experience and expertise of all stakeholders, including regulated industry. The experience, expertise and viewpoints of the industry can be a valuable resource to the FDA in achieving a science-and evidence-based program that results in reasonable regulation. Even though we believe there are some provisions that exceed constitutional limits, we supported the enactment of the FSPTCA. We want to work constructively with the FDA as it establishes a comprehensive national regulatory framework and remain in full compliance with our legal and regulatory requirements. In addition, we share our perspective and information with the FDA through written submissions, presentations and other written communications on a variety of important issues including:

  • The need for science-and-evidence based decision making;
  • Harm reduction opportunities;
  • Technology developments; and
  • Constitutional requirements related to the advertising and marketing rules.
Close