Today Altria Group called President Obama’s signing of legislation giving the Food and Drug Administration regulatory authority over tobacco products an important and historic achievement. The company has supported tough but reasonable federal regulation of tobacco products for more than eight years.

“We have consistently advocated for federal regulation that recognizes the serious harm caused by tobacco products, that helps ensure tobacco companies do not market tobacco products to children and that also acknowledges that tobacco products are and should remain legal products for adults,” said Michael E. Szymanczyk, Altria Group’s chairman and CEO. “We believe a comprehensive regulatory framework, implemented thoughtfully, can provide significant benefits to adult consumers.”

Among the potential benefits to consumers:

• Establishing a common set of high standards for all tobacco manufacturers and importers doing business in the United States
• Providing a framework for the evaluation of tobacco products that are potentially less harmful than conventional cigarettes
• Creating clear principles for accurate and scientifically grounded communication about tobacco products to adult consumers.

Moving forward, it is Altria’s strong hope that the FDA will implement this new regulatory framework consistent with these principles. We intend to work constructively with the agency just as we have worked with multiple parties to support the enactment of this legislation.