Dental News - Washington cracks down on big tobacco

Fred Michmershuizen, DTA

Wed. 24 June 2009

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NEW YORK CITY and WASHINGTON, DC, USA: The American Dental Association (ADA) is applauding new legislation to regulate tobacco. Congress has passed and President Barack Obama has signed into law the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. This legislation gives the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the express authority to regulate the manufacture, marketing and distribution of tobacco products.

“Dentists are the first line of defense in the war against oral cancer and many other tobacco-related diseases,” said ADA President Dr John S. Findley, in a statement. “[We have a] long-standing policy that nicotine is a drug and that cigarettes and other tobacco products are nicotine delivery devices and, therefore, should be regulated by the FDA. The association has devoted particular attention to the insidious marketing of tobacco products to children, especially so-called ‘smokeless’ or spit tobacco products.”

“Many Americans believe that tobacco products already are regulated for health and safety when in fact they’re not,” Dr Findley continued. “Over the years, the tobacco industry has used its enormous political influence to avoid even the most basic oversight of its products. As a result, tobacco use remains the main cause of preventable disease and death in the United States.”

“About nine out of ten people who will die from oral and throat cancers use tobacco, and their risk of developing these cancers is related to how much and how often they use tobacco,” he said. “On average, 40 per cent of those with these cancers will not survive more than five years. Tobacco products are also associated with higher rates of gum disease, one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults.”

“Congress’s action is the first step in more effectively regulating tobacco use and marketing, and we urge the president to sign this legislation as soon as possible,” Dr Findley concluded.

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