Massachusetts Personal Injury Library
New tobacco regulations protect kids
According to a recent article in the New York Times, the House and Senate have both passed a new tobacco bill and sent it to the White House for President Obama’s signature. According to the article, President Obama has promised to sign it, saying it will protect children and public health.
The new legislation gives the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority for the first time to regulate tobacco products. Under the this law, the FDA will have the authority to set standardsand ban some chemicals from tobacco products. The law sets up a new regulatory office. The new regulations are financed by tobacco industry fees, expected to be $85 million in the first year.
According to the New York Times, the new law also gives the FDA the authority to ban advertising within 1000 feet of schools and playgrounds, and to stop the tobacco industry from using the terms light, mild, and low tar. Research shows that each day 1,000 children under age 18 start smoking tobacco.
Facts about tobacco from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention
- worldwide tobacco causes more than 5 million deaths per year
- in the U.S. 400,000 people die from tobacco each year
- 49,000 people die of second-hand smoke every year
- cigarette smoking costs more than $193 billion ($97 billion in lost productivity and $96 billion in health care expenditures)
- health care costs associated with exposure to second-hand smoke average $10 billion annually
- prevalence of cigarette smoking is highest among American Indians/Alaska Natives (36.4%), followed by African Americans (19.8%), whites (21.4%), Hispanics (13.3%), and Asians [excluding Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders](9.6%).
- In the United States, 20% of high school students are current cigarette smokers.
When you are interviewing personal injury attorneys ask critical questions, like: how long have you been practicing; what is the largest settlement or verdict you've obtained, and do you have experience with burn accidents involving children? The Kiley Law Group, located in Andover, Massachusetts takes time when speaking with you about your case and works with you on a contingent basis so there are NO FEESunless our trained personal injury lawyers wins your case. Call now for a FREE evaluation of your case – 1-888-208-1695.
