Lung Association Thanks NY Congressional Delegation for PACT Act Support in New Ad

PACT Act supporters thanked for their role in keeping tobacco products away from kids

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ALBANY, NY (03/23/2010)(readMedia)-- The American Lung Association in New York today unveiled a new ad that will run in tomorrow's Buffalo News thanking New York Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, along with Representatives Louise Slaughter, Brian Higgins and Chris Lee, for their leadership in ensuring passage of the PACT (Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act) Act (S.1147) in their respective houses this session. The bill, now before President Obama, will ultimately ban the delivery of tobacco products through the U.S. mail and help keep cigarettes out of the hands of children.

The advertisement was paid for by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and is a collaborative effort of the Campaign, the Lung Association, the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, and the Erie-Niagara Tobacco-Free Coalition, among many other local groups.

"Once enacted, the PACT Act will cut off a major source of tax-evading, low-cost tobacco from coming into New York and other states," said Scott T. Santarella, President and CEO of the American Lung Association in New York. "The passage of this bill is a true public health victory because higher tobacco prices will prevent more kids from beginning to smoke and encourage more people to quit. "We're grateful to our Senators and Representatives for their role in making this happen."

The Lung Association said that the PACT Act will help ensure that cigarettes sold over the Internet or through mail order include all applicable taxes, which will make them more expensive and less attractive to kids. Ensuring the collection of federal, state and local tobacco taxes will also help fight crime and increase government revenues.

"We urge President Obama to sign the PACT Act into law immediately so that we can finally put an end to the illegal trafficking that is taking place and reduce the devastating toll that tobacco is taking on the public's health," said Santarella.

Note to Editor: A pdf file of the ad that will run in tomorrow's Buffalo News is attached.

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