U.S. Rep. Connolly, Inova Hospital Physicians, Public Health Groups Call for Congressional Action to Protect Kids From Tobacco

Press Conference March 19th at 10 a.m. in Falls Church

FALLS CHURCH, Va., March 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — U.S. Representative Gerry Connolly, several prominent doctors from Inova Health System and public health leaders from Virginia will hold a press conference on March 19th in Falls Church to call for quick passage of federal legislation that would grant the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authority over tobacco products. The House Energy and Commerce Committee passed the bill earlier this month and a full House vote is expected in the coming weeks. Rep. Connolly is an original cosponsor of the legislation.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080918/CFTFKLOGO)

The participants will highlight a recent report about the tobacco industry’s new aggressive marketing campaigns aimed at women and girls. The report shows, while overall cancer death rates are decreasing for both men and women, lung cancer death rates have yet to decline for women. Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer of women, having surpassed breast cancer in 1987, and smoking puts women and girls at greater risk of a wide range of deadly diseases, including heart attacks, strokes, emphysema and numerous cancers.

The legislation would give the FDA the authority to crack down on tobacco marketing and sales to kids, stop tobacco companies from misleading the public about the health risks of their products and allow the FDA to make changes in these products.

***The latest tobacco products targeting women and girls will be on display at the event***

WHAT: U.S. Representative Gerry Connolly, several prominent doctors from Inova Health System and public health leaders from Virginia call for legislation to give the FDA authority over tobacco products to protect children and save lives.

WHO:

U.S. Representative Gerry Connolly

Dr. David Ascher, Chairman, Department of Pediatrics, Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children

Dr. Kirsten Edmiston, Medical Director, Inova Cancer Services, Inova Health System

Dr. John Osborn, Section Chief, Pediatric Pulmonology, Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children

Keenan Caldwell, Government Relations Director, American Cancer Society – Virginia

David DeBiasi, Director of Advocacy & Public Education, American Lung Association of Virginia

WHERE:

Inova Fairfax Hospital

Claude Moore Health Education and Research Center (Atrium)

3300 Gallows Road

Falls Church, VA 22042

WHEN:

Thursday, March 19th

10:00 a.m.

SOURCE Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids