Site
Contents
 |
General Information about the Area Office
North Indiana Conference Office
South Indiana Conference Office
Prayer Guides
(Courtesy of the NIC Prayer Team)
Area United Methodist
Foundation
For resources to assist your congregation in welcoming guests,
click here
Seashore District Volunteer Center VIM project -- Completed
Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
|
Hoosier United Methodists together |
September 2004 |
Big win in U.S. Senate on FDA tobacco authority
By Patricia Sosa and Vinny DeMarco
WASHINGTON - In a truly historic victory for tobacco control and public health, the United States Senate voted July 15 overwhelmingly (78-15) to approve legislation that provides the Federal Drug Administration with strong and effective authority to regulate tobacco products.
This is the first time that either house of Congress has voted to grant FDA authority over tobacco products and it represents a giant step forward on a legislative priority the public health community has worked many years to achieve. This overwhelming victory would not have happened without the tireless efforts by tobacco control advocates across the country who have taken the time to contact their senators, submit letters to the editor and taken other action in support of this legislation.
The vote was on an amendment offered by Senators Mike DeWine (R-Ohio) and Edward Kennedy (D-Ma.) to the FSC corporate tax bill. The amendment included both the DeWine-Kennedy FDA tobacco authority bill supported by the public health community and legislation introduced by Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to provide a tobacco grower buyout that is paid by tobacco companies, not taxpayers. In contrast, the House FSC bill includes no FDA tobacco authority and a buyout paid by taxpayers.
This vote clears the way for the Senate and the House to convene a conference committee to negotiate a final version of the FSC bill. The American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Lung Association and Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids issued a statement applauding the historic Senate vote and making it clear that they will vigorously oppose any effort to weaken the FDA tobacco legislation approved by the Senate.
The United Methodist Church supports both abstinence of tobacco products and measurers to decrease the use of tobacco as a health issue in the United States.
The conference committee did not conclude its work. Congress returns from its summer recess on Sept. 7.
Patricia Sosa and Vinny DeMarco serve with the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids in Washington, D.C.
Last updated on 08/20/2004