U.S. Federal Issues

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The federal government must provide strong leadership in the fight against tobacco use, the number one cause of preventable death in the United States.

After a long battle, Congress and President Obama in 2009 enacted a new law giving the Food and Drug Administration authority to regulate tobacco products and marketing. The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids was a leader in the fight for this law and is working to ensure it is vigorously enforced.

The Obama Administration also has launched the first national tobacco control strategy, which calls for a public education campaign and other actions to prevent kids from smoking, help smokers quit and protect everyone from harmful secondhand smoke. It is critical that the plan be robustly funded and effectively implemented.

Key U.S. Federal Issues

  • FDA Authority Over Tobacco
    A landmark 2009 law gives the FDA authority to regulate the manufacturing, marketing and sale of tobacco products.

  • Graphic Warning Labels
    New law requires large, graphic cigarette warnings, but tobacco companies fight change to protect profits.

  • National Tobacco Control Strategy
    Learn more about the Administration's plan to reinvigorate efforts to reduce tobacco use.

  • Health Care Reform
    New law bolsters disease prevention and expands coverage for quit-smoking therapies.

  • Federal Tobacco Taxes
    Higher tobacco taxes reduce smoking, raise revenue and are popular with the public.

  • Internet Tobacco Sales
    The Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking (PACT) Act bars the illegal sale of tax-evading tobacco products over the Internet.

  • Tobacco and Trade
    Tobacco products should be excluded from trade agreements.