Senator Kennedy has introduced legislation – similar to Rep. Waxman’s bill – that would establish U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulatory authority over virtually all aspects of tobacco manufacture, distribution, sales and advertising.  Senator Kennedy’s bill – S. 982 – is scheduled to be marked up in the full Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee next week.  

Rep. Waxman’s bill – HR 1256 – has already been approved by the House and is awaiting action in the Senate.  AWMA has vigorously opposed both measures, lobbying this issue most recently during our AWMA Day on the Hill event on April 29th and 30th.  AWMA has been supporting alternative measures in both the House and Senate – HR 1261 and S. 579 – introduced by Rep. Buyer and Sen. Burr respectively.  These measures offer a more reasonable, workable alternative to the Waxman and Kennedy bills.  

AWMA urges our members to make their views known on this important issue and contact their legislators by visiting our Web site at www.awmanet.org.   You will be taken directly to a pre-written letter on this issue by simply clicking the “government affairs” button.  Thank you for your support and AWMA will continue to keep members apprised of any new developments on this issue.