Take Action on Smoking and Health [01/09-2]

Here's the story from two points of view:

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Excerpts from US URGED TO ACT ON TOBACCO,
by Mark Suzman, Financial Times (London) [01/09/98]

The US government should raise tobacco prices by at least $ 2 a pack, to strengthen the Food and Drug Administration's authority to regulate nicotine and ensure that trade policies do not undermine international anti-tobacco policies, an influential health advisory body said yesterday.

The recommendations, contained in a policy statement issued by the National Cancer Policy Board of the Institute of Medicine and the National Research Council, two independent research bodies, will add to pressure on Congress to toughen significantly the proposed $ 368.5bn tobacco settlement when it begins formal deliberations later this month.

The report says that Congress should use a combination of taxes and penalties to raise prices by $ 2 a packet to deter underage smoking.

If approved in its current form, the settlement is expected to raise prices by between 60-85 cents a packet, although President Bill Clinton has said that he believes increases of up to $ 1.50 a pack may be necessary.

"If tobacco consumption and initiation do not recede, taxes on tobacco products should be increased to further reduce demand," the statement says.

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Excerpts from U.S. REPORT CALLS FOR RISE IN TOBACCO PRICES,
by Mark Weinraub, REUTERS [01/09/98]

Raising tobacco prices is the best way to help Americans kick the habit, a government research group said in a report released on Thursday.

``The single most direct and reliable method for reducing consumption is to increase the price of tobacco products, thus encouraging the cessation and reducing the level of initiation of tobacco use,'' the report said.

The report, issued by the National Cancer Policy Board of the Institute of Medicine and the National Research Council, repeated the conclusion of a 1994 Institute of Medicine report that recommended raising cigarette prices by a minimum of $2 per pack.

``This is a jumping-off point,'' National Cancer Policy Board chairman Peter Howley said.

Other recommendations in the report include:

-- Earmarking some of the revenues generated from increased prices to support tobacco control measures.

-- Broadening the Food and Drug Administration's power to regulate the design of tobacco products.

-- Increasing federal government support of state and local initiatives to limit tobacco use.

-- Repealing the federal ban on state and local regulation of advertising and promotion based on smoking and health.

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