North Carolina Senators Opposed FDA Tobacco Regulation
Yesterday, we talked with Senator Kay Hagan about her campaign support from big tobacco and her opposition to the Food and Drug Administration regulating tobacco. In fact both North Carolina Senators oppose the idea. We hoped to talk with Senator Burr about the issue to ask the same tough questions of him that we asked of Senator Hagan. Namely whether his position had anything to do with the money tobacco groups have spent on his campaigns. We tried multiple times but the Senator’s Press Office said Burr would not be available to do an interview on the matter. According to the non-partisan, non-profit Center for Responsive politics, Burr has received more than $355,000.00 in campaign support from the tobacco industry; making him the second highest recipient of tobacco money of anyone in the Senate. Burr’s staff did tell Nine On Your Side that the Senator’s position had to do with jobs and not tobacco money.
Here is Senator Burr’s statement on FDA Regulation: “Granting FDA regulation of the tobacco industry would severely impede the agency’s core mission which is to ensure the safety and efficacy of our nation’s food supply, medicines, and medical devices. It would also discourage tobacco companies from introducing reduced risk products to the market, which public health experts say could significantly reduce tobacco-related illness and death. Our alternative would create a new agency responsible solely for the regulation of tobacco without further burdening the already over-stretched FDA.”
Tough questions tonight for Senator Kay Hagan about her campaign funding from big tobacco and her opposition to the Food and Drug Administration regulating tobacco. In fact both of North Carolina’s Senators oppose the idea. And both got thousands of dollars in support for their political careers from tobacco companies. We wanted to know the real reason behind the opposition.
Supporters of Senate Bill 982 say giving the Food and Drug Administration the authority to regulate tobacco products is long overdue in fighting America’s tobacco health care crisis.
982 is Senator Edward Kennedy’s bill and in a statement he says that FDA regulation can decrease smoking among the youth by preventing tobacco advertising targeting children and can help prevent tobacco sales to minors.
Kennedy also says that regulation can make tobacco products less toxic and less addictive for those who use them.
In a conference call, Senator Kay Hagan said she didn’t think the government’s top regulatory agency should regulate tobacco.
Hagan says, “I think that the key point is that they’ve got too much on their plate right now. You look at the outbreaks of salmonella that have occurred across our country and I think they’re overburdened, I think they’re overworked and I think they need to concentrate on food and drugs.“
Since the National Institutes of Health clearly states that tobacco is not only a drug but “One of the most heavily used addictive drugs” we had to ask is her position really based on wanting the FDA to focus on food and drugs or is it influenced more by thousands and thousands of dollars in campaign support she received from tobacco companies?
Reporter: “I know that in the past you’ve received some financial support from tobacco groups for your campaign. Does your current position on this bill have anything to do with that?“
Hagan responds, “You know I think tobacco companies have given quite a bit of funding to Republican candidates and it certainly has no bearing whatsoever. I am primarily interested in jobs in North Carolina and the impact this will have on the farming community and I am certainly here to advocate on behalf of North Carolina’s best interests.
Which begs the question: is our states best interest the health of our people or the health of our tobacco industry?
Hagan says, “I think it goes back to the public at large knows that tobacco smoking is harmful and I think that’s one of the things that’s already currently known and the FDA has too much on their plate to deal with.“
Her alternative to the FDA regulating tobacco? Hagan says, “A new agency, paid for by the tobacco companies that would do fees on the cigarettes that would actually regulate them.“
As we mentioned, Senator Burr is co-sponsoring legislation with Hagan offering an alternative to the FDA tobacco regulation bill. His campaigns have received far more support from tobacco groups than Hagan. We hope to hear what he has to say about any possible influence tobacco money has had on his position tomorrow.
We posted this story online before it aired and were immediately contacted by a member of Senator Hagan’s staff, who questioned the accuracy of our story. When they could not provide a single example of anything factually incorrect, the staff member said they deeply resent the questions raised in this story.
As journalists we have an obligation to ask the tough questions and to hold the powerful accountable.
At the Senators request we are happy to point out the fact that tobacco plays an important part in North Carolina’s economy.
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