U.S. FDA cracks down on retailers selling tobacco to children

[News_Editor]

U.S. FDA cracks down on retailers selling tobacco to children

2011-11-11 07:16:02 GMT+7 (ICT)

WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Thursday issued warning letters to more than 1,200 tobacco retailers to protect children from illegal tobacco sales, the agency said.

The majority of the letters are in response to the sale of tobacco to children and is part of the FDA's ongoing effort to reduce the use of tobacco among minors.

Some retailers are still selling cigarettes and smokeless tobacco to minors, although the majority of retail establishments inspected by the FDA were found to be in compliance with the law. After the letters, the FDA may follow up with civil fines if retailers continue to violate the law.



FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg noted that 20 percent of U.S. high school students smoke cigarettes, reiterating that the FDA is 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," Hamburg said. "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."

The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, signed by President Barack Obama, gives the FDA the authority to regulate tobacco products to prevent use by minors and reduce the impact on public health.

In addition, one of the law's provisions permits the FDA to contract with states and territories to conduct compliance check inspections of tobacco retailers. This year, the FDA awarded compliance contracts totaling more than $24 million to 38 states, including the District of Columbia, supporting the creation of at least 266 jobs.


Commissioned officials from the FDA have conducted more than 27,500 compliance checks, focusing on the sale and distribution restrictions, including age and ID verification, requirements for the labeling and advertising of smokeless tobacco products, restrictions on the sale of single cigarettes, a ban on certain candy and fruit-flavored cigarettes, and prohibited self service displays and vending machines.


Last October, the FDA also began inspecting U.S. tobacco product manufacturers. This is the first time tobacco product manufacturing facilities have ever been inspected by a federal public health agency. Inspections of tobacco product manufacturing facilities are required to be conducted at least once every two years.

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