Our Position on FDA and the Regulation of Tobacco Products

Our Position

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Altria Group and Philip Morris USA (PM USA) have supported tough but reasonable federal regulation of tobacco products by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for over seven years. We believe that such tough but reasonable federal regulation can benefit shareholders and other stakeholders by ensuring that all tobacco manufacturers and importers doing business in the U.S. operate at the same high standards; by providing a framework for the further pursuit of tobacco product alternatives that are less harmful than conventional cigarettes; and by ensuring transparent, accurate communication about tobacco products to consumers. We remain committed to securing these benefits for our consumers, shareholders and other stakeholders.

On February 15, 2007, Senators Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and John Cornyn (R-TX) and Representatives Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Tom Davis (R-VA) introduced legislation to grant the FDA broad authority to regulate tobacco products. Altria Group and PM USA continue to monitor and engage on the proposed legislation as it moves through the legislative process. 
 

For background, this legislation, known as the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act establishes a regulatory structure and standards for the manufacturing and marketing of all tobacco products that will provide its greatest benefits to tobacco consumers. 

Key legislative provisions include:

• Regulation of nicotine. The FDA would have authority to regulate nicotine yields and to reduce or eliminate harmful smoke constituents or harmful components of tobacco products;
• A ban on descriptors such as "light" and "low tar" (unless expressly authorized by FDA);
• Full disclosure of ingredients added to tobacco products;
• Changing the language of the current cigarette and smokeless tobacco product health warnings, enlarging their size and granting FDA authority to require new warnings in the future;
• Authority for the FDA to require ingredient testing and to remove harmful ingredients;
• Authority for the FDA to do more to prevent minors from using tobacco products;
• Authority to establish standards for products that could potentially reduce the harm caused by tobacco products and to define the appropriate ways to communicate about these products;
• A ban on the sale of cigarette flavor varieties other than menthol; and 
• Recognition that any advertising and promotion restrictions, including those in the Bill and those required or authorized to be promulgated under the Bill, must pass muster under the First Amendment.

Download
	Altria Group Letter of Endorsement - Senate (pdf 26KB)
	Altria Group Letter of Endorsement - House of Representatives (pdf 26KB)
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Contact Information

Altria Client Services
Media Relations
Tel: 804-484-8897

Related Information

• Philip Morris USA Chairman and CEO Michael E. Szymanczyk's Written Statement Submitted to the Health Subcommittee of the House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee in Support of FDA Regulation
• Philip Morris USA Letter of Endorsement