Officials praise new tobacco regulations
Pamela BrustPARKERSBURG - Local health officials are pleased with the new federal tobacco law aimed at curbing tobacco use, especially among youth.
"The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act" was signed into law on June 22 by the president.
"We certainly approve of the federal efforts. So many illnesses and diseases are shown to be caused by smoking including cancer, not to mention the affect on the quality of life for those addicted to tobacco. We are glad to see the federal government taking some stronger measures to help reduce tobacco use, especially with regard to youth. Studies have shown if you can keep someone from starting to smoke before they are 18, chances are they will not smoke," said Dick Wittberg, director of the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department. Wittberg said granting authority to regulate tobacco products to the federal Food and Drug Administration was a good move.
"I think that will have a very long lasting and large effect on tobacco sales, it changes the landscape," he said.
The new federal legislation grants the FDA authority to regulate the manufacturing, marketing and sale of tobacco products, stops the marketing of tobacco products to children, requires tobacco companies to list what is in their products and mandates larger and more effective warning labels on tobacco product packaging. The legislation requires cigarettes makers to disclose product ingredients to the FDA and prohibits use of labels such as low tar or light on packages. In imposes a ban on candy and fruit-flavored cigarettes. Tobacco companies will also no longer be able to advertise near schools or sponsor entertainment or sporting events. The new federal legislation also forces companies to lower the levels of nicotine in cigarettes, remaining vending machines will disappear except in places restricted to adults and retailers who sell to minors will be subject to federal enforcement and penalties.
"We have noticed that we are starting to get more calls on the Quit Line because of the federal tax and FDA regulations. It is true it will help with youth prevention, doing away with the flavored cigarettes and cigars which are targeted to youth," said Carrie Brainard, MOVHD Regional Tobacco Prevention Coalition coordinator. "There are some additives that will not be allowed in cigarettes that will make it a little less addictive, you still shouldn't smoke, but hopefully it will help more people be able to quit and improve their health," Brainard said.
"Any step we can take to keep our youth from starting tobacco is a step in the right direction. Anyone who has ever smoked and tried to quit can tell you how hard it is to stop, and how they wished they hadn't started," Brainard said.
The Quit Line number, 1-877-966-8784, is accessible from anywhere in West Virginia. It is a toll-free call.
"They will provide educational materials on how to quit, provide four free phone counseling sessions and most people will qualify for free patches, gum or lozengers. If the caller has a medical condition, they will need a doctor's referral, but you can get a fax referral form," Brainard said.
"Tobacco is virtually the only consumable product not regulated in the U.S. and the tobacco industry exploits this undeserved free pass by spending nearly $40 million every day aggressively marketing its products, especially to children, with enticing candy- and fruit-flavored cigarettes. The legislation would stop the marketing of tobacco products to children, require tobacco companies to list the poisons in their products and mandate larger and more effective warning labels on tobacco product packaging," said Dr. John R. Seffrin, CEO, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. "Every day, 3,500 children pick up their first cigarette and 1,000 become addicted smokers. Regulating the tobacco industry could help break the cycle of addiction to tobacco in our country," Seffrin said.
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AaronL
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07-10-09 5:22 PM
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My last gasp for thatsjustme: Now who has went to pulling the name calling card? Nazism is a word for a way of life invented around 1933, right along with pure Aryan and quite a few other twisted ways of belief, one which is going on right UNDERNEATH your nose. I could write volumes on why you cannot, or is it will not, see the forest for the trees, but I am not going to here. Up for intelligent conversation? Aaron Lohoefener 304-865 2553 home 304-481-6028 cell.
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thatsjustme
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07-09-09 12:01 PM
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Aaron, it's not up to me to come up with a different name for the gentleman. If it were I might say "public health advocate" or "concerned public servant". If you really think he's a Nazi and since you've read so much about the Nazis I assume you believe he captured, held prisoner and executed millions of people during WW2. Your use of the word is typical of those prone to hyperbole. You think throwing that word around improves your argument, but actually, it just makes you look like a loony, shrieking goofball. I know you're not that, so I encourage you to ease off on the name calling and try to assemble an argument that makes sense without all the distraction. Aside from that, seems to me you are outnumbered in favor of public health. Smoking is not a freedom. It's not a right. It's an addiction to a killer product.
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AaronL
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07-09-09 9:25 AM
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Oh and on another note thatsjustme, Ive read and studied the Nazi's and their regime since I was 6 years old, and I'm 45 now, so YES, I DO think I know what I'm talking about.
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AaronL
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07-09-09 9:23 AM
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Well thatsjustme, I'll tell you what, you find a BETTER word for Wittburg and his henchmen, and I'll be happy to use it. Just make sure it means one way total control for the powers that be. Far as the butts are concerned, yes it IS worse, but thats thanks to " Uncle Dick". There's no such thing as a perfect world, not unless you want to ride your horse, sit in the dark and freeze to death in the winter, because God forbid, there may be some smoke. Keep the restraunts, grocery stores non-smoking thats fine, just can't let Uncle Dick dictate everything, or even more will be lost.
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thatsjustme
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07-09-09 6:31 AM
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Holy cow, mauser, you're way off the deep end. You know the adage about your rights and the end of my nose, right? I've reviewed the Constitution and can't find a sentence protecting fellow citizens who want to blow their smoke in my face, on my food and leaving their cig stumps on the sidewalks and streets. Aaron, when I hear people refer to others as "Nazis" I wonder what they are thinking. Too much LimboHannityOreillyBeck coming into their ears? Lack of a true understanding of what Nazis are and what they did? Using that term on fellow Americans is despicable and inexcusable. It's interesting that on this board we're allowed to say the word "Nazi" but not the word "J e w". Strange juxtaposition.
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mauser
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07-09-09 3:21 AM
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when the SHTF, and the little ACORN/Black Panthers start rounding you up, know that some of us stood up for freedom and liberty while you cowered in fear, or even helped the enemy. are you people so blind as to not realize that every piece of legislation designed to take only a "little bit" of our freedom away, always turns out much worse. after 9/11 they signed the patriot act to "catch" the "terrorists". in fact the patriot act does nothing for the terrorist's and hinders and in some cases removes the rights of americans in cases the patriot act was never designed for. we have lost more rights as americans in the last 10 years due to feel good politics, than any time in the preceding 230+ years. you have to see that things are bigger than you, its bigger that what pants are at the mall, or who's americas new idol. right now they are assaulting free speech, if you "hurt" someones feelings you can be sent to prison, and they even have their
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AaronL
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07-08-09 10:19 PM
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Wonder just how many of these " I Hate Smokers" posts were put up by the Nazi Wittberg and his henchwoman Brainard? Someone who does'nt smoke, thats fine, I won't blow it at you, no problem. Want clean air though Uncle Dick? Shut down Degussa, Elkem, Aamoco, and every other emissions plant around. Until then, smoke em if you got em, which won't be for long.
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mythravere
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07-08-09 8:50 PM
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People need to realize that their bodies are just as polluted as the Earth they walk on. Fly a lot? Well guess what you probably have measurable amounts of fire retardant in your blood from setting in airliner seats.
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cabaka
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07-08-09 8:48 PM
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And, in the immortal words of thesafe1: "Oh and the video lottery is sucking the life out of Parkersburg too."
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2teachers
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07-08-09 8:07 PM
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Maybe they should get rid of DuPont and the rest of the chemical plants from Wheeling to Charleston. Strange that the toxic fumes they spew into the air are ignored and that cause everyone, including NON smokers, to get all kinds of "unexplainable" cancer. The Mid Ohio Valley is infamous for its horrible air quality and it certainly is not due to cigarettes. I only wonder while President Obama steps outside for his smoke break the secret service complains about the second hand smoke or do they just hand him a stick of gum on the way back in.....
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mythravere
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07-08-09 7:27 PM
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News flash Pope calls for New World Order! Google this: From profits to ethics: pope calls for a new political and financial world order. Verily the anti-Christs arrival is nigh!
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thatsjustme
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07-08-09 5:29 PM
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MOV, bad breath is not deadly (at least not as much as cigs). myth, thx for the explanation. I should have thought that through. I didn't make the connection to RJR on the roll your own law and the flavored tobacco. Does that affect smokeless tobacco, too? I assume it does.
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LAWHATER
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07-08-09 4:48 PM
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YOUVE HEARD OF THE WISKEY RUNNERS OF THE TWENTIES,WELL GET READY FOR THE TOBACCO RUNNERS OF TODAY ,YOU CAN GET A CARTON OF CIGS IN NORTH CAROLINA FOR 16 DOLLARS,AND SELL THEN HERE ALL DAY LONG FOR 30 DOLLARS,THANK YOU FOR THE NEW BUSINESS START UP! I NEED A BIGGER VAN, ANYONE GOT ONE FOR SALE? PRICE IS NO CONCERN...
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thesafe1
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07-08-09 3:40 PM
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*****dirty smokers. They should ban cigarettes, they're ruining Parkersburg. Free choice be damned, legislate what people can do with their money, time, and bodies. Oh and the video lottery is sucking the life out of Parkersburg too.
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MOVHomewrecker
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07-08-09 1:43 PM
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lets add peoples dank breath and BO to the assault list!! and while we are at it, fat chicks should NOT be allowed to wear certain clothing. it is an assault to my eyes and an intrusion on my right to not be disgusted...oh yeah, and open toed sandals for people that have no earthly right to show off their fungus infested toe nails......
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mythravere
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07-08-09 1:28 PM
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I am pretty certain they helped write this new law. A lobbyist can get anything from any politician.
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mythravere
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07-08-09 1:25 PM
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That's this bill will cause tobacco companies big and small to have have all ingrediants listed and accounted for plus all chemicals present in the smoke must be listed also I think. This will be very expensive but not for them. I am pretty sure RJ Renyolds also was behind the massive tax put on roll your own tobacco. Also pretty much all flavoring will be banned except for menthol. This will kill almost all the other tobacco companies leaving the market open just for them. The also make and sale products to help on quit smoking. A double edged sword in my opinion.
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thatsjustme
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07-08-09 10:23 AM
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myth, I totally agree with your assessment of Alex Jones. I love a good conspiracy theory, but it's obvious he goes way beyond that. On RJR- I don't quite see how they stand to profit from this. Can you elaborate?
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MrAlex
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07-08-09 7:58 AM
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If the government doesn't want kids to smoke to prevent them from being smokers when they get older, it sounds to me like they don't want anyone to smoke, at all. If that's the case, why not just outlaw smoking all together right now? We all know that smoking causes cancer. If there were any other product on the market today, that people could buy in any store, that we KNEW caused cancer like Cigs do; that product would be pulled off the shelves right now! Remember the red M&M scare? Oh, no! Red M&M's might cause cancer!! And right away, the red M&M's were taken out of production because they MIGHT cause cancer. But people can still smoke? You've got to ask WHY? We KNOW that smoking causes cancer, yet it's allowed to continue. I think smoking is a little more dangerous than red M&M's ever were.
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MrAlex
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07-08-09 7:52 AM
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Is this about anyone's rights? Maybe it is. Smokers have the right to smoke any time they want. Smokers have the right to get many various forms of cancer if they want. Smokers have the right to stink like the bottom of an ashtray if they want. They have the right for their breath, their clothes, and their hair to stink and smell like stale smoke. They have the right to look stupid with that burning, smokey cig. hanging out of their face as they inhale those toxic chemicals into their lungs. They have the right to get that hole cut in their throats and talk through a voice box, have part of their face or tongue cut away, and they have the right to die early. But they do NOT have the right to force us NON-Smokers to breathe in their poison. Smoking should be outlawed anywhere in public.
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mythravere
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07-08-09 7:14 AM
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RJ Reynolds has put themselves in a place of profit. They supported this legislation and it will make them lots of money.
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mythravere
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07-08-09 7:11 AM
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only wish there were more hal turner's and alex jones in this country. You need to take things they say with a large grain of salt. Alex Jones is nothing more than a money grubber with an ego the size of Texas.
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thatsjustme
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07-08-09 6:55 AM
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Smokers have brought this legislation on themselves. I'm going to generalize here, so don't take this personally. People who go to restaurants do not want smoke blown in their face while having a meal. People do not want to sweep up cigarette butts from our sidewalks and streets. People do not want to see lit cigarettes flying out of car windows because the driver is too lazy to dispose of his cig properly. People do not want to walk through a phalanx of smokers outside of businesses. The tobacco industry has been subsidized and supported by the government for too long. Their product is a known killer and should be regulated by the FDA. Restaurants, bowling alleys and bars ignored the wishes of a majority of people by giving short shrift to proper ventilation and the wishes of the 70 or 80% of us who do not smoke.
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mauser
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07-08-09 3:32 AM
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this country was founded on life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. today theyre taking the rights of smokers away, tomorrow its our freedom of speech, soon to be followed by our second amendment. we need not give our traitorous politicians an inch, for they take their mile, each and every day. you have to ask yourself when "enough is enough". the country has too many joe sixpacks who as long as there is beer in his fridge and a game on tv, he doesnt care what happens. stand up for the country and vote these controlling nazi's out of office, before its too late...
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mauser
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07-08-09 3:25 AM
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here's a word for you health officials. smokers dont lobby and try to get your right to fornicate taken away and made illegal, even though you can get diseases like aids, hiv, and herpes. lets not forget that one little slip up can dramatically change your life by leaving you with a child whether you want it or not. we dont try to get your european luxury cars banned because the exhaust emits nasty carbon molecules, or because it "could" end up in the hands of a child, who takes it out for a joyride and kills himself and possibly others. there are third world countries who dont have the government appointed and funded lobbyist's try to make their orwellian views the law of the land. this country has gone third world. right now there is a man from new jersey who is being railroaded and imprisoned for speaking the truth about what is going on in the country. i only wish there were more hal turner's and alex jones in this country.
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