Curtis Ramsey-Lucas, National Ministries’ national coordinator of Public and Social Advocacy, was involved in introducing the legislation to Congress earlier this year through his involvement in “Faith United Against Tobacco,” a diverse interfaith coalition of religious leaders.
“We believe our nation’s leaders have a moral obligation to do all they can to protect Americans, particularly children, from tobacco addiction and the health consequences of smoking,” says Ramsey-Lucas. “Passage of this legislation and its implementation by the FDA will, in no small measure, move our nation forward in achieving this goal. Yesterday’s action by the Senate is a victory for children today and for those of future generations.”
The new legislation will restrict tobacco advertising and promotions, especially to children, stop illegal sales of tobacco products to children and require more prominent health warnings in advertising and on tobacco packages. It will also allow the FDA to require changes in tobacco products, such as the removal or reduction of harmful ingredients and the reduction of nicotine levels. Similar legislation was passed by the House in April. President Obama has indicated he will sign the bill when it reaches his desk.
Tobacco products are the number one cause of preventable death and disease in the United States, killing more than 400,000 people and costing the U.S. more than $96 billion in health care bills each year. Tobacco products contribute to cancer, heart disease, chronic pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, emphysema, pneumonia and asthma, and harm virtually every one of the human body’s organs.
The legislation comes 50 years after the U.S. surgeon general first warned about the health effects of tobacco. Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass), who worked for years to move the bill forward, said in a statement, “Miracles still happen. The United States Senate has finally said ‘no’ to Big Tobacco.”
Earlier this year, in conjunction with introduction of the legislation, numerous media events around the country featured local faith leaders urging Congressional support for the legislation. Rev. Timothy Bonney, pastor of First Baptist Church of Greater Des Moines and former ABCUSA General Board member, called upon American Baptists to support the legislation at one of these events.
American Baptist Churches USA General Secretary A. Roy Medley said, “God calls us to healthy stewardship of all that has been entrusted to us. This legislation will save countless lives, prevent debilitating disease and protect children who are easily made victims of tobacco products.”
American Baptist Churches is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with 5,500 local congregations comprised of 1.3 million members across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.