For Immediate Release
Contact:
Trish Moreis
Robyn Landry
(202) 872-4240
AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION STATEMENT ON TOBACCO SETTLEMENT TALKS
June 10, 1997 - "The American Heart Association applauds the fact that tobacco settlement talks are progressing, however, we will not render a position or any recommendations until we see something in writing and have an opportunity to conduct our own independent evaluation, " said AHA Chairman of the Board David A. Ness.
According to Ness, "the AHA will continue to closely monitor information related to the discussions to assure that the interests of the public health community are fully represented." The following six principles continue to be essential to the American Heart Association in considering any settlement proposals: ∑ The authority of the FDA to regulate tobacco products ( including nicotine ) must not be abridged in any way; ∑ The FDA's ability to augment requirements governing youth access to tobacco and marketing should not be curtailed; ∑ The rights of victims of the tobacco industry should not be abridged in any way; ∑ There should be well-funded, effective and sustained public education and tobacco control campaigns; ∑ Congress should not preempt state or local laws that are stronger than federal laws; ∑ The tobacco industry must disclose its body of research studies on the effects of nicotine.
These principles are supported by some 28 public health organizations.
"We will not support any recommendations that do not address all six of these basic principles," Ness added.
According to AHA President Jan L. Breslow, M.D., "The American Heart Association is committed to diligence in assuring the public's health is protected. Despite what might come forward in the settlement talks between the states' attorneys general and the tobacco industry, the AHA believes there will be additional serious issues related to public health and tobacco which must be addressed. These could include tobacco excise taxes, international issues, and farm subsidy issues."
In addition to rendering its own independent evaluation of the public health aspects of any settlements which it will make public, the American Heart Association will also provide input to the Advisory Committee on Tobacco Policy and Public Health, co-chaired by former FDA Commissioner David Kessler and former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop. The committee is working with a bipartisan congressional group to develop a comprehensive and united approach to tobacco legislation.
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