Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #98786

Michael S. Givel, PhD, Department of Political Science, The University of Oklahoma, 455 West Lindsey, Room 217, Norman, OK 73019, 405-325-8878, mgivel@ou.edu

In 2004, identical bills were introduced in the United States Senate and House supported by major health groups and Philip Morris that granted new authority for the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate tobacco products for health and safety purposes. Public health proponents argued the bills would “protect kids and save lives” by granting FDA authority to restrict tobacco advertising and promotion, require disclosure about tobacco health dangers, change tobacco products to make them less harmful, prohibit unproven health claims about "reduced risk" products, and require stronger health warnings on tobacco products. Given these purported advantages, why did Philip Morris support these bills? A policy comparison of all sections of the legislation and core principles by Philip Morris on FDA regulation of tobacco discovered in previously secret tobacco documents (that was collaborated by 513 other tobacco documents) indicates almost totally congruency between the legislation and Philip Morris' core principles. With the passage of this legislation, tobacco will remain an economically viable product for a long time rather than being greatly restricted as if it was regulated as a drug or drug delivery device as was proposed in 1996 FDA regulations. Under the new stable FDA regulatory framework, while there will be some new federal regulatory controls and purportedly some reduction in tobacco use, millions of other American tobacco users (adults and kids) will continue to suffer from tobacco related illnesses and deaths.

Learning Objectives: This presentation will provide participants with a historical overview from 1996 to the present of proposals and actions by the Food and Drug Administration to regulate tobacco products. This presentation will also discuss why Philip Morris and major health groups supported the bi-partisan Dewine-Kennedy bill introduced in the Senate in 2004 and whether this bill was good for public health. Outcomes of actions participants will demonstrate at the end of the presentation

• Recognize and describe Philip Morris’ core policy goals for FDA regulation.
• Recognize and describe the key provisions of the 2004 Dewine-Kennedy Bill.
• Discuss and compare the differences and similarities between the 2004 Dewine-Kennedy Bill and Philip Morris’ core policy goals for FDA regulation.
• Describe and evaluate Philip Morris’ program of “constructive engagement.”
• Describe and evaluate Philip Morris’ support of tobacco risk or harm reduction.
• Describe and evaluate Philip Morris’s support of youth smoking prevention programs.
• Discuss whether Philip Morris’ current support of FDA regulation is good for public health. At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to
  1. List 11 goals by Philip Morris for FDA regulation of tobacco products. 2. List 10 key provisions in the 2004 Dewine-Kennedy Bill. 3. Compare and contrast Philip Morris’ 11 core principles with 10 key provisions of the 2004 Dewine-Kennedy Bill. 4. Articulate the concept of “constructive engagement” as advanced by Philip Morris with respect to FDA regulation. 5. Articulate the concept of harm or risk reduction as advanced by Philip Morris with respect to FDA regulation. 6. Articulate the concept of youth smoking prevention as advanced by Philip Morris with respect to FDA regulation. 7. Provide three reasons whether Philip Morris’ core principles as embodied in the Dewine-Kennedy Bill significantly advances the public health.

  Keywords: Tobacco Policy, Public Policy

  Presenting author's disclosure statement:
  

  I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

  Recorded presentation

  Tobacco Control and Government at the Federal, State, and Local Levels

  The 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition (December 10-14, 2005) of APHA