Washington
Concerned about “epidemic” use of smokeless tobacco among teen-agers, the Congress has cleared for President Reagan’s signature a bill, S 1574, requiring smokeless-tobacco packages and advertisements to carry warning labels similar to those on cigarette packages.
“A product is being sold to our children without any warning of associated health risks,” said Senator Orrin G. Hatch, Republican of Utah, an original sponsor of the bill. Of the 10 million users of smokeless tobacco, 3 million are under the age of21, he added.
Both the Senate and the House cleared the bill by voice vote this month.
The legislation specifies three possible statements, one of which must be used on packages and advertisements. (Outdoor billboards are exempt.) They are: “WARNING: This product may cause mouth cancer"; “WARNING: This product may cause gum disease and tooth loss"; “WARNING: This product is not a safe alternative to cigarettes.”
The legislation, introduced last summer, is a compromise supported by the medical community, public-health advocates, and the Smokeless Tobacco Council, the industry trade group.
