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On January 6, 2005, the American Lung Association released its annual American Lung Association State of Tobacco Control 2004 report, a national report card that grades federal and state tobacco control laws and regulations.

For the first time, the American Lung Association has expanded the report card to include grades that reflect the United States’ performance.  The report found that Congress and the Administration are failing to enact strong tobacco control policy. The United States scored grades of "F" regulation of tobacco products by the Food and Drug Administration, "F" in cessation, "F" in cigarette taxes and for the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, an international tobacco control treaty earned a "D".

This report clearly shows that Congress and the Administration need to use their authority to strengthen protections for all Americans from tobacco products.  In 2004, thousands of advocates joined the American Lung Association in support of legislation that would grant FDA regulatory authority over tobacco products.  The US Senate overwhelmingly passed strong FDA legislation twice.  Leaders in the US House of Representatives blocked a vote on this legislation, despite over 80 cosponsors of the legislation introduced by Representatives Tom Davis (R-VA) and Henry Waxman (D-CA). 

We came extremely close to seeing FDA regulatory authority over tobacco products. Lets make 2005 our year for victory by asking Representatives to build on the momentum in 2004.   Ask them to co-sponsor strong FDA legislation again.