FDA Regulation

Last Updated: Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Re: The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (S 625 and HR 1108) 

Based upon the U. S. House of Representatives' July 30^th passage of legislation giving the Food and Drug Administration authority to regulate tobacco products, we commend the Congressional Black Caucus, National African American Tobacco Prevention Network, former Secretaries of Health and Human Services, and other major health groups who raised the menthol issue.  

Given the recent decline in support for the legislation as it was proposed prior to changes made before the July 30^th passage by the House of Representatives, AACOH (Ohio African American Communities for Optimum Health, Inc.), for the record, withdraws its support for the legislation which did not place menthol on a level playing field with other flavored cigarettes.  With 90% of African American youth and 75% of African American adults preferring menthol cigarettes and tobacco industry documents clearly stating purposeful targeting of this product towards the African American community, it is no longer wise to support an anything is better than nothing FDA tobacco regulation bill that could result in adversely impacting the community we are charged with protecting. 

AACOH continues to be open to working with national and local partners to help educate policy-makers regarding revised FDA tobacco regulation language that equally and proactively protects the health of the African American community regarding menthol cigarettes, as well as flavored cigars, including menthol cigars, which are increasingly being smoked because they are cheaper and sold legally in single form. 

Respectfully Submitted, 

AACOH Board