четверг, 26 мая 2011 г.

FDA cracks down on online tobacco sales



The U.S. Food and Drug Administration doesn’t have a problem with consumers buying cigarettes online, they have a problem with manufacturers claiming their products offer “reduced risk of tobacco-related diseases” online.

The FDA cited the online retailers for a variety of illegal marketing claims that violate the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, including use of terms such as: “Light”; “Low”; “Mild”; “Less toxic”; or “Safer.” This is a fairly new law that just went into effect about a year ago.

“There is no known safe tobacco product. It is illegal for tobacco companies or retailers, including internet sellers, to make unsubstantiated claims or statements that imply tobacco products reduce health risks,” said Lawrence R. Deyton, M.S.P.H., M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products. “FDA will pursue enforcement actions to protect the public health.”

The FDA sent out 11 warning letters to companies telling them not to advertise with these false claims. To make such a claim the FDA would have to approve it, and not one of these companies has any such permission from the FDA.

The FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products conducts routine monitoring and surveillance of tobacco product marketing, advertising and promotion to assess compliance with the law. If companies fail to comply with the government agencies request fines, seizure, and criminal prosecution could become a reality.

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