Talking Points for Candidates

There is much elected officials can do to protect our kids from Big Tobacco. These policies can protect our kids and save lives:

Funding Tobacco Prevention Programs
These programs are proven to reduce smoking and save up to three dollars in health costs for every dollar spent. Learn more:

• Information for Candidates for Federal Office: Appropriations for Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Tobacco Prevention; Click here
  
• Information for Candidates for State Office: Tobacco Settlement Dollars for Tobacco Prevention; Click here

Regulating Tobacco Products
On November 23, 1998, 46 states settled their lawsuits against the major tobacco companies to recover tobacco-related health-care costs. The settlement also imposed limited restrictions on the marketing of tobacco products. For more information about this multi-state agreement, known as the Master Settlement Agreement, please click here.

In order to protect consumers and prevent marketing to kids, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration needs to have authority over tobacco products. But this authority can't be granted without an act of Congress. Learn more about current efforts to give the Food and Drug Administration the authority to regulate tobacco products by clicking here.

Increasing Tobacco Taxes
This win-win solution raises new revenue and reduces smoking - especially among teens. Some new revenue should be used to prevent teen smoking and help smokers quit. Learn more:

• Information for Candidates for Federal Office:
  Federal Tobacco Taxes; Click here
  
• Information for Candidates for State Office: Cigarette taxes raise revenue and save lives; Click here