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STATEMENT BY THE SOCIETY OF THORACIC SURGEONS ON THE SUPREME COURT’S OPINION ON THE U.S. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION’S AUTHORITY OVER THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY

WASHINGTON, DC (March 27, 2000) – Jack Matloff, MD, President of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons called today for quick action by Congress to give the Food and Drug Administration the authority it needs to regulate the tobacco industry.

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons has a long history of supporting efforts to discourage tobacco use. With their “hands-on” experience with diseased organs, its members were among the first to recognize the link between smoking and heart and lung disease. Recently, the Society launched an anti-smoking web site, entitled smokesignals.org, that displays graphic depictions of the impact of smoking on lungs and enlists youth to encourage their loved ones to stop smoking.

“Thoracic surgeons see the ravages of smoking in their daily work,” Matloff said. “We support the effort of our fellow thoracic surgeon, Sen. Bill Frist, MD, who drafted language in the tobacco bill of 1998 that would respond to the call for Congressional action implicit in Supreme Court’s decision. Dr. Frist has seen what we see every day as we treat patients whose hearts and lungs have been destroyed by tobacco use. In fact, as a cardiac transplant surgeon, Dr. Frist has treated the most catastrophic consequences of smoking in the care he has given his patients.

“The vast majority of our patients afflicted with smoking related diseases were addicted as young people. Therefore, we are particularly concerned about the impact this decision will have on efforts to reduce smoking by America’s youth. We urge Congress to give FDA the authority it needs to continue the fight against tobacco use, particularly among children.”

Please Contact Ken Inchausti at 202-828-8857 or Bill Black at 202-828-8889 For More Information.
E-mail: STSpress@aol.com http://www.sts.org

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons is the membership society for thoracic surgeons in the United States. With over 4,100 members, the society represents the surgical practice areas of cardiac surgery (heart), general thoracic surgery (pulmonary, lung, esophagus, and mediastinum), pediatric thoracic surgery, and transplant surgery. The society is committed to saving, extending, and improving the quality of life for all Americans. # # #