Health Groups Slam Tobacco Marketing to Women

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Though they're the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S., tobacco products are virtually exempt from regulation. That would change if the FDA gains authority over tobacco products, said the health coalition, which is urging Congress to pass legislation expected to be reintroduced by Rep. Henry A. Waxman, a California Democrat, and Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, a Democrat from Massachusetts.

The legislation would:

• Restrict tobacco marketing that appeals to children
• Ban misleading health claims, such as "light" and "low tar" and strictly regulate all health claims about tobacco products
• Require larger, more effective health warnings on tobacco packages and advertising
• Require tobacco companies to disclose the contents of their products
• Grant the FDA authority to require changes in new and existing tobacco products to protect public health, such as the removal or reduction of harmful ingredients

"This report is a sober reminder that the tobacco industry has become more aggressive in marketing deadly products to women," Nancy Brown, chief executive of the American Heart Association, said in the news release. "Hip and trendy packages cannot disguise the health hazards of smoking and the risk for heart disease and stroke. We must give the Food and Drug Administration the authority to rein in the industry's relentless campaign to manipulate young women with products that send the wrong message."

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Phelps also took issue with Brown's statement that the FDA should rein in the industry.

"We (Philip Morris) support federal regulation of tobacco products by the FDA and have done so for the past eight years. So while I don't agree with that particular accusation against us, the public should be aware that we support FDA regulation of tobacco products," he said.

More information

The American Cancer Society has more about women and smoking.

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-- Robert Preidt