World Lung Foundation Urges Congress to Grant Regulatory Power on Tobacco to US FDA

Monday, February 23, 2009

Contact: Jorge Alday, Public Relations Manager

(New York) – World Lung Foundation released today the following statement from Peter Baldini, Executive Director, following a new report that exposes aggressive tactics by the tobacco industry to market to women and girls.

"The new report, "Deadly in Pink: Big Tobacco Steps Up Its Targeting of Women and Girls," sounds an alarming signal that the tobacco industry senses an opportunity to get more women and girls hooked on their deadly products. Tactics such as packaging cigarettes in feminine colors and in boxes that look like purses are the direct result of failed oversight by Congress. The only way to ensure ethical marketing practices is through clear, enforceable regulation. World Lung Foundation therefore strongly supports legislation that would grant regulatory power to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to put in place measures that will safeguard women and girls from such nefarious marketing practices.

More countries should follow the example of Thailand, whose progressive tax, labeling, and ad ban policies protect its population, including women, from tobacco industry tactics. We call on the U.S. government to ratify the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, and to ensure that our transnational tobacco corporations abide by the rules against promotion and
sponsorship activities in low‐ and middle‐ income countries."

The report, "Deadly in Pink: Big Tobacco Steps Up Its Targeting of Women and Girls," was
released by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Campaign for Tobacco‐Free Kids.

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About World Lung Foundation

World Lung Foundation was established in response to the global epidemic of lung disease, which kills 10 million people each year. The organization improves global lung health by improving local capacity to conduct research, develop public policy and deliver public health education. The organization's areas of emphasis are tobacco control, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, asthma, and child lung health. For more information, please visit worldlungfoundation.org