AGD and Allies Urge Congress to Protect FDA Oversight of Tobacco Products

  • by AGD Washington Advocacy Representative
  • Jul 15, 2021
A broad coalition of health stakeholders led by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids sent a letter on June 30 to the leaders of the House Committee on Appropriations urging them to oppose any efforts to weaken FDA’s authority over cigars or any other tobacco products. The coalition included AGD along with other groups like ADA, AMA, and the American Lung Association. 

Manufacturers and sellers of certain types of cigars have argued that the FDA should not oversee their products despite the agency’s determination that there is no appropriate public health justification for exempting them. 

Tobacco use has long been the leading preventable cause of death in the U.S. Each year, it kills more than 480,000 Americans and is responsible for approximately $170 billion in health care costs. 

Impact on General Dentistry: The use of tobacco products is inextricably linked to an individual’s oral health, as it increases the risk of developing oral cancers, periodontal disease, and tooth decay. AGD supports various efforts to curb tobacco-related product use.