May 18, 2009

Honorable Edward M. Kennedy
Chairman
Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
United States Senate
Washington, DC  20510

Dear Senator Kennedy:

The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) supports the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (S 982) and applauds your efforts to quickly pass the measure.  Your legislation giving the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authority over tobacco products is long over due. 

Tobacco-caused diseases remain the leading cause of preventable death in the United State and costs our health care system an estimated $96 billion annually.  Amazingly tobacco products are exempt from basic health regulations that apply to other consumer products such as drugs, medical devices and foods.  It is time for this special protection to end.

ACOEM is the nation’s largest medical society devoted to promoting the health of workers, their families, and communities through preventive medicine, clinical care, research, and education. ACOEM represents nearly 5,000 physicians and other health care professionals specializing in the field of occupational and environmental medicine (OEM). 

Again, ACOEM supports your efforts to regulate tobacco products.

Sincerely, 

Pamela Hymel, MD, MPH
President