During early March Bishop Gene Savoy, president of the Nevada Clergy Association, working with members of the interfaith community, led the initiative to give the FDA oversight over tobacco products. (See also posting: “Semiannual Interfaith Luncheon.”) As reported in the Reno Gazette Journal on Tuesday March 10, “Reno area faith leaders called upon U.S. Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign to support legislation that would grant the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authority over tobacco products.”
“At a news conference at the International Community of Christ in Reno, clergy leaders said that such a law would give the FDA authority to crack down on tobacco marketing and sales to children.
“[The] announcement by local faith leaders is part of the Faith United Against Tobacco, a national campaign that aims to reduce youth tobacco use.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee had already passed the bill during the first week of March, with the full House expected to vote within the next couple of weeks. Final passage before the U.S. Senate is expected by May or early June.
The movement is a timely effort to combat the “deadly campaigns” of tobacco companies in targeting children as potential smokers and to reduce the health-related diseases among adults as part of the national reform of the U.S. health-care system.
Bishop Savoy addressed the Reno conference at the Chancellery with the full support of members of The Second Advent Church and should be praised for his leadership in confronting this major health issue.