Press Release

Tobacco-Free Kids Welcomes Confirmation of Dr. Robert Califf as FDA Commissioner, Urges Bold Action to Eliminate Flavored Tobacco Products

February 15, 2022
Statement of Matthew L. Myers, President, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids welcomes the Senate’s confirmation of Dr. Robert Califf as Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Dr. Califf is highly qualified and prepared on day one to address the enormous challenges facing the FDA, including the most significant decisions on tobacco in the agency’s history. The decisions the FDA must make in the coming weeks on e-cigarettes, menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars will have a tremendous impact on our nation’s health. 

As a cardiologist, Dr. Califf understands the continued devastating impact of tobacco use and the need to stop the tobacco industry from addicting another generation of kids. We look forward to working with Dr. Califf and the Biden Administration in taking bold action to prohibit menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars, end the youth e-cigarette epidemic and accelerate progress in reducing tobacco use, which remains the nation’s number one cause of preventable death. 


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