ACS, Tobacco Farmers Unite; Farmers and Advocates Urge S.C. Members of Congress to Support Tobacco B

Source from:  COLUMBIA, S.C., U.S. Newswire  08/24/2004

The American Cancer Society, South Carolina tobacco farmers and quota holders released a joint letter to the South Carolina Congressional Delegation calling on Congress to provide tobacco growers with a buyout while at the same time empowering the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with meaningful regulatory authority over tobacco products. They will deliver this letter to the congressmen on a three-day "Better Together: FDA/Tobacco Buyout Truck and Hound Tour" of nine congressional district offices beginning Monday, Aug. 23rd through Wednesday, Aug. 25. Last month the U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passed an amendment marrying the two issues together, but the U.S. House of Representatives has not yet agreed to the same plan. A House-Senate conference committee is expected to work out the differences between the two bills when Congress returns to Washington, D.C., in September. "Modernization of the current tobacco policy coupled with FDA oversight of manufactured tobacco products will provide stability for family farmers and tobacco dependent communities and protect public health," the groups wrote. "We have worked together in support of that unified agenda for several years. Clearly, there is now an urgent need for Congress to act." Leading tobacco farmers' organizations and public health groups agreed several years ago that a buyout and FDA regulation are complementary issues. The Senate vote would ensure tobacco farmers an estimated $12 billion in compensation they desperately need paid for by the tobacco companies and at no cost to the taxpayer. The FDA provision would regulate public health, not farms, by: Restricting advertising and promotions aimed at children; Stopping illegal sales to children; Requiring changes in products to make them less harmful and addictive; Prohibiting unsubstantiated health claims on "reduced risk" products; Requiring disclosure of ingredients and tobacco industry research and; Requiring larger, more informative warnings be placed on tobacco products. "Farmers need economic relief now," said Johnny Shelley. "Another year of quota cuts will mean the loss of more family farms and jobs. To get what we need we are working with our partners in the public health community. We both want FDA protection at the checkout counter, not on the farm, and this legislation will regulate products, not crops. Congress must finish the job with a vote to enact a buyout together with effective and fair FDA regulation." "Today we stand united with growers to save the livelihoods of farmers and the lives of thousands of South Carolinians," said Nancy Cheney of the American Cancer Society. "Tobacco growing states are suffering both economically and health wise since tobacco use exacts a disproportionately higher cost in dollars spent and lives lost in tobacco growing communities compared to the rest of the country. A buyout paired with the meaningful FDA regulation passed by the Senate can help us turn the tide. If our pets can have FDA protection, then so can our children. We urge our Representatives in Congress to join us in support of these issues." In addition to their joint letter, the Society, farmers and other public health groups are engaged in an intensive grassroots campaign that includes print and radio advertising, media events, phone banks, faxed messages, email appeals, and letter writing. In fact, to facilitate contact with Congress, the Society has made the resources of its sister issue advocacy organization, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) available to growers and public health advocates alike. Now South Carolinians who want to register their support for a buyout paired with FDA regulation can dial 888-NOW-I-CAN and be connected directly to the office of their Member of Congress. Faxes and emails can also be sent at no charge to Capitol Hill through the ACS CAN website http://www.acscan.org. Enditem