Senator Lautenberg Was a Champion in the Fight Against Tobacco

WASHINGTON, DC – We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Senator Frank Lautenberg this morning. Our nation has lost a true leader, who among his many accomplishments fought passionately to protect our nation’s kids and health from the deadly scourge of tobacco use.

Throughout his career, Senator Lautenberg courageously took on the tobacco industry and championed efforts to reduce tobacco use, the nation’s number one cause of preventable death. Earlier in his service, he led efforts to ban smoking on commercial airline flights and in federal buildings, inspiring the national movement to require smoke-free workplaces and public places. He fought to stop the fraudulent marketing of “light” and “low-tar” cigarettes and to require disclosure of ingredients in tobacco products, which became part of the landmark 2009 law that gave the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authority over tobacco. More recently, he has worked to expose the marketing of flavored cigars to kids, increase tobacco taxes and crack down on tobacco smuggling. He also was a leader in the successful effort to urge Major League Baseball to restrict players’ use of smokeless tobacco on the field and at public events.

Senator Lautenberg’s legacy includes a healthier nation due to his efforts to reduce tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke. We are grateful for his hard work and dedication to this nation. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.