Oakland Gives Final Approval to Restrict Sale of Menthol Cigarettes and Other Flavored Tobacco

Oakland, CA – Sep. 19, 2017— Leading health organizations and community groups today applauded the Oakland City Council’s unanimous final approval of a measure to keep flavored tobacco products – including menthol-flavored cigarettes – away from youth. The new law will go into effect mid-2018.

If Philip Morris Is Serious About a “Smoke-Free World,” It Should Stop Marketing Cigarettes, Fighting Efforts to Reduce Smoking

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Philip Morris International – the world’s largest non-governmental cigarette manufacturer – has announced that it is establishing a Foundation for a Smoke-Free World, with funding of $80 million per year over the next 12 years.

Philip Morris has a long history of deceiving the public and doing whatever it takes to sell cigarettes. This is not the first time Philip Morris has announced that it is funding “independent” research, nor is it the first time it has claimed to support “independent” researchers. Each of its past efforts have been nothing more than a smokescreen to divert attention from its marketing practices, the harm its products cause and the strong scientific consensus that already existed – both about the harm of its products and the scientifically proven ways to reduce tobacco use.  There is no reason to believe that this announcement is any different.

UN Global Compact Shows Leadership by Dropping Tobacco Industry Members

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) today announced that it would bar tobacco companies and any other organization that derives revenue from the production or manufacturing of tobacco products from participating in the initiative. Today’s announcement from the UNGC is a positive step for global public health because it prevents tobacco companies from burnishing their public image through association with credible organizations like the United Nations.

Led by Dr. Tom Frieden, New Global Health Initiative – Resolve – Will Save Lives and Improve Health Around the World

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids welcomes today’s announcement of the creation of Resolve, a bold $225 million global health initiative led by Dr. Tom Frieden, former director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The initiative aims to save more than 100 million lives by preventing heart attacks and strokes and will also help countries improve epidemic preparedness and response. The initiative will be based at Vital Strategies, a New York-based global health organization.

Ukraine Reports Dramatic Drop in Cigarette Smoking, Further Action Needed to Continue Life-Saving Progress

WASHINGTON, DC – Rates of cigarette smoking in Ukraine have declined dramatically according to new findings released today as part of Ukraine’s second Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS). The significant decrease in smoking reflects the success of Ukraine’s public health laws which protect all Ukrainians from the deadly harms of tobacco use – the world’s leading cause of preventable death.

U.S. Authorities Urged to Investigate British American Tobacco for Allegations of Widespread Bribery and Corruption in Africa

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following new allegations about the conduct of British American Tobacco (BAT) in Africa –published today by The Guardian – the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids is urging the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to investigate BAT and its subsidiaries for possible violations of the anti-bribery and accounting provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). Tobacco-Free Kids requested the investigation in a letter today to the two government agencies.

New York City Passes Sweeping Package of Bills to Further Reduce Tobacco Use

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today New York City has again taken bold action to further reduce tobacco use, the No. 1 cause of preventable death in the United States. The New York City Council approved a sweeping package of legislation introduced in April by Mayor Bill de Blasio and members of the Council that will increase the price and reduce the availability of cigarettes and other tobacco products.

Oregon Becomes Fifth State to Raise Tobacco Age to 21

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon today became the fifth state to prohibit the sale of tobacco products to anyone under 21 as Gov. Kate Brown signed the measure into law. The legislature approved the bill last month. In taking this bold step, Oregon will prevent young people from starting to use tobacco, save lives and help make the next generation tobacco-free. We applaud Gov. Brown and the lawmakers who supported this legislation for their strong leadership in fighting tobacco use, the No. 1 cause of preventable death in the United States.

Maine Becomes Fourth State to Raise Tobacco Age to 21

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Maine today became the fourth state to prohibit the sale of tobacco products to anyone under 21 as the Legislature voted to override Gov. Paul LePage’s veto of the measure. In taking this bold step, Maine will prevent young people from starting to use tobacco, save lives and help make the next generation tobacco-free. We applaud Maine lawmakers for standing up to the tobacco industry and acting to protect the children and health of their state. The law covers all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, and prohibits tobacco sales to anyone under 21 as lawmakers rejected proposals to exempt members of the military.

New FDA Agenda on Tobacco Has Great Potential to Save Lives, But Devil Is In the Details

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The sweeping tobacco regulatory agenda proposed today by FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb represents a bold and comprehensive vision with the potential to accelerate progress in reducing tobacco use and the death and disease it causes in the United States. Critical to his vision is his recognition that the components of his proposal need to work together as “a package deal” – “it is really all or nothing,” as he put it.