Congressman Denny Rehberg

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, this week voted for a bill to place tobacco products under the jurisdiction of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act is funded through a user fee paid by tobacco companies and protects children from tobacco marketing.

“It’s really a matter of common sense to tackle the issue of tobacco products and their impact on the health of Montanans,” said Rehberg a member of the House Health Appropriations Subcommittee.  “The fact is, tobacco related illness costs thousands of lives and millions in tax dollars every year.  The least we can do is make sure the best agency for the job is on the case.”

The popular legislation is supported by hundreds of organizations in Montana and nationally, representing thousands of individuals.  Below are a sampling of organizations supporting Rehberg’s position:

Montana Hospital Association, An Association of MT Health Care Providers
Casey Blumenthal, Vice President

“HR 1256, the Waxman-Platts bill, provides for effective FDA regulation of tobacco products.  This bill is critical to help protect the health of our residents in Montana and nationwide.  Tobacco is one of the most dangerous, but legal, drugs we have in this country–yet it has the potential to cause the most deleterious impact on our health status, outcomes, and costs. If we can minimize the introduction of tobacco to our children, and create some controls around marketing and production of the product, we are taking a step in the right direction. MHA, an Association of Montana Health Care Providers, applauds Rep. Rehberg for taking this step in his support of HR 1256.”

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
Kristin Page Nei, Montana Government Relations Director

“We thank Congressman Rehberg for his continued support of protecting our children.  It is past time for tobacco to be regulated in the manner we regulate all other products that are consumed.  We are pleased that our U.S. Representative understands the importance of this serious health issue.  These sensible restrictions are why more than 1,000 organizations support the legislation.”

The American Lung Association
Paul G. Billings, Vice President National Policy & Advocacy

“The American Lung Association thanks Congressman Denny Rehberg for his support of HR 1256.  This bill will finally give the Food and Drug Administration regulatory oversight of tobacco products and curb tobacco marketing to kids.  This legislation will save lives.”

American Heart Association
Suzanne Ffolkes, Director of Media Advocacy

“This vote is a tremendous victory for the public health community as we try to protect Americans from heart disease, stroke and other chronic illnesses associated with tobacco use.  We praise Representative Denny Rehberg and congressional leadership for their support and strongly urge the Senate to take action so we can block the tobacco industry’s efforts to target children and increase addiction nationwide.”

A full list of supporting organizations is Below.

Montana
American Cancer Society- Montana
American Lung Association in Montana
Big Sky Chapter of the Oncology Nursing Society – MT
Montana Chapter, American College of Cardiology
Montana Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics
Montana Dental Association
Montana Dental Hygienists’ Association
National Public Health Organizations (91)

National
American Cancer Society
American Heart Association
American Lung Association
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
Academy of General Dentistry
Alliance of the American Dental Association
American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
American Academy of Dermatology
American Academy of Family Physicians
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
American Academy of Oral Medicine
American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
American Academy of Pediatrics
American Academy of Periodontology
American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
American Association for Cancer Research
American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation
American Association of Dental Editors
American Association of Dental Examiners
American Association for Dental Research
American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine
American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons
American Association of Orthodontists
American Association of Public Health Dentistry
American Association for Respiratory Care
American College of Cardiology
American College of Chest Physicians
American College of Dentists
American College of Prosthodontists
American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists
American College of Occupational & Environmental Medicine
American College of Physicians
American College of Preventive Medicine
American Dental Association
American Dental Education Association
American Dental Hygienists’ Association
American Medical Association
American Medical Student Association
American Psychiatric Association
American Psychological Association
American Public Health Association
American School Health Association
American Society of Addiction Medicine
American Society of Clinical Oncology
American Student Dental Association
American Thoracic Society
Americans for Health Care
Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum
Asian Pacific Islander Caucus for Public Health
Association of Community Cancer Centers
Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs
Association of Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurses
Association of Pediatric Oncology Social Workers
Association of Schools of Public Health
Association of State & Territorial Dental Directors
Association of State & Territorial Health Officials
Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric & Neonatal Nurses
Black Men’s Health Initiative
Children’s Cause for Cancer Advocacy
Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America
CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation
Directors of Health Promotion and Education
Foundation for a Smokefree America
Heart Rhythm Society
Hispanic Dental Association
Ignite
Lung Cancer Alliance
March of Dimes
National Association of County & City Health Officials
National Association of Health Education Centers
National Association of Local Boards of Health
National Association of Secondary School Principals
National Consumers League
National Council of La Raza
National Dental Association
National Hispanic Medical Association
National Latino Council on Alcohol & Tobacco Prevention
National Medical Association
National Patient Advocate Foundation
National Physicians Alliance
National School Boards Association
Oncology Nursing Society
Oral Health America
Partnership for Prevention
Society for Public Health Education
The Lance Armstrong Foundation
The National Latino Tobacco Control Network
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Trust for America’s Health
Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults
Other National Organizations (15)
AARP
ASPIRA, Inc.
Children’s Defense Fund
Families USA
First Focus
Hadassah – Women’s Zionist Organization of America
National Education Association
National Partnership for Women & Families
National Puerto Rican Coalition
National Research Center for Women & Families
National Women’s Law Center
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity
Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
United Way of America
Veterans for Common Sense
National/Regional Faith Organizations (30)
American Baptist Churches of the South
American Baptist Churches USA
Brethren Witness/Washington Office
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Catholic Conference of Kentucky
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
Church Women United
Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, Southern Baptist Convention
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
General Board of Church & Society, United Methodist Church
General Commission on United Methodist Men
Health Ministries Association
Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility
International Parish Nurse Resource Center
Interreligious Coalition on Smoking or Health
Islamic Society of North America
Japanese American Citizens League
Kansas East Conference Board of Church & Society, United Methodist Church
Kansas Ecumenical Ministries Governing Board
National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA
National Episcopal Health Ministries
Nevada Clergy Association
Presbyterian Church (USA)
Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
Seventh-day Adventists
United Church of Christ
United Methodist Church
Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations
Women’s Division, GBGM, United Methodist Church
World Sikh Council - America Region
Regional Organizations (21)
American Cancer Society, Eastern Division, Inc. (New Jersey and New York)
American Cancer Society, Great Lakes Division, Inc. (Michigan and Indiana)
American Cancer Society, Great West Division, Inc. (Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota)
American Cancer Society, High Plains Division, Inc. (Hawaii, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri)
American Cancer Society, Mid-South Division, Inc. (Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky)
American Cancer Society, Midwest Division, Inc. (South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin)
American Cancer Society, New England Division, Inc. (Connecticut, Vermont, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine)
American Cancer Society, South Atlantic Division, Inc. (Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia)
American Heart Association – Great Rivers Affiliate (West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Delaware)
American Heart Association – Greater Midwest Affiliate (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, South Dakota, North Dakota)
American Heart Association - Greater Southeast Affiliate, (Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Tennessee)
American Heart Association – Heartland Affiliate (Oklahoma, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas)
American Heart Association – Heritage Affiliate (Connecticut, New Jersey, New York City)
American Heart Association – MidAtlantic Affiliate (South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Washington, DC)
American Heart Association – Northeast Affiliate (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, New York State, Massachusetts)
American Heart Association – Pacific Mountain Affiliate (Hawaii, Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Idaho, Arizona, New Mexico)
Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America, New England Chapter
Coalition of Hematology Oncology Practices of the Southwest
Epilepsy Foundation North/Central Illinois, Iowa, and Nebraska
Maryland/District of Columbia Society for Respiratory Care
New Hampshire/Vermont Thoracic Society
Northern New England Clinical Oncology Society