Coy marketing and advertising efforts by the tobacco industry continue to target our children despite efforts by the federal government to reduce tobacco use and fund treatment and prevention programs. In Tennessee alone, 25 children under the age of 18 begin to smoke cigarettes every day, and more than 438,000 Americans die each year from tobacco-related diseases that are preventable.
 
The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, which passed the House by a vote of 326 to 102, places more federal restrictions on the sale, distribution, and advertising of tobacco products to minors. It will also give the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authority to regulate tobacco products and require accurate labeling of all ingredients. While I question turning over more responsibilities to the already inefficient FDA, the overwhelming need and public support to curb smoking convinced me to vote for this bill.

As parents, we can choose a healthy lifestyle that will help guide our children to make good decisions. I share Tennessee’s dedication to raising healthy children and will continue advocating for policies to protect and promote children’s health.