Blumenthal Statement on Updated FDA Cigarette Labeling

(Washington, DC) – Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) issued the following statement today after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released updated labeling guidelines which include 9 graphic health warnings required to appear on every pack of cigarettes sold in the United States and in every cigarette advertisement, as well as the display of the number 1-800-QUIT-NOW, a smoking cessation resource:

“Frightening as these warnings may be, even more so are the addiction, disease and death caused by tobacco. Today’s FDA ruling is another important step forward in protecting and improving public health, ensuring that the devastating health effects associated with tobacco use are clear to anyone who picks up a pack of cigarettes or sees a cigarette advertisement. Importantly, the new FDA warnings also include a link to a smoking cessation hotline – helping to connect the millions who want to quit smoking with the resources to get started. I look forward to continuing to work with the FDA and my Senate colleagues to help safeguard the health of smokers and non-smokers alike, in Connecticut and across the country.”

The new labels must be on cigarette packages and in advertisements by 2012. The warnings are the first change to cigarette labeling in more than 25 years.

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