Main Category: Smoking / Quit Smoking
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health; Regulatory Affairs / Drug Approvals
Article Date: 10 Nov 2011 - 9:00 PST
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In a move it says is aimed at protecting the health of minors, the FDA sent Warning Letters to over 1,200 retail outlets regarding violations in the sales of tobacco to underage shoppers. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) emphasizes that most retailers that are inspected by the Agency have behaved within the law. However, some continue selling cigarettes and smokeless tobacco to underage children.
The FDA explains these retailers may face civil money penalties if they continue breaking the law.
FDA Commissioner, Margaret A. Hamburg, said:
"It should worry every parent that 20 percent of U.S. high school students smoke cigarettes. President Obama and the FDA are committed to preventing children from smoking. For many young people, that first cigarette or use of smokeless tobacco will lead to a lifetime of addiction, and for many, serious disease. More than 80 percent of adult smokers begin smoking before 18 years of age.Retailers are vital partners in the FDA's efforts to prevent tobacco use among kids."
Since President Obama Signed the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, the FDA has been give the authority to enforce the law and protect minors from the devastating health consequences of long-term smoking.
The FDA is authorized to carry out compliance check inspections of retailers - these are coordinated with states and territories - these are called Compliance Contracts, which the FDA awards. So far this year, over $24 million's worth of these contracts have been awarded to 38 states, creating over 266 jobs.
To date, over 27,500 compliance check reports have been received by the FDA.
An inspection focus on sale and distribution restrictions, including: Verifying the purchasers age and checking his/her IDLabeling and advertising requirements of smokeless tobacco productsWhether or not the retailer is selling single cigarettesA ban on a number of fruit and candy flavored cigarettesWhether banned vending machines or self-service displays are being usedThe FDA says all Warning Letter to retailers can be viewed on the FDA Website, as well as full inspection results.
Lawrence R. Deyton, director of FDA's Center for Tobacco Products, said:
"Through this program, we are exercising the authority Congress and the President gave to FDA to enforce the youth access and advertising regulations that took effect in June 2010. While we applaud the efforts made by many retail establishments to protect our kids, the fact that our nation's youth can walk into 1,200 retail locations and still obtain access to these deadly products is 1,200 too many."
Inspections of tobacco product manufacturers by the FDA started in October this year. Tobacco product makers had never been inspected by a federal public health agency before. Inspections have to be done at least once every 24 months.
Written by Christian NordqvistCopyright: Medical News Today
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