Tobacco Documents Online

Pw 48HT10033049 CALL Allen :uvn, Pa. June 26, 1964 Rules Versus Law TtiE PRESS is firmly of the opinion that the use of tobacco should be dis• couraged, especially among the young when habits are easily formed and more apt to becbme permanent. 71Hs PRESS does not believe, however, that the pro- posed Federal Trade Commission rule to place a warning label on cigarettes makes any real contribution to this end. The new Federal Trade Commis- sion rule provides that after January 1, 1965, all packages of cigarettes shall carry a warning that "clearly and prom- inently" states that the use of these cigarettes "may cause death from can- cer and other diseases." The motiva• tton for this rule cannot be criticized; it is designed to protect persons from the ill effects of smoking. Whether lt will be effective and whether it Is with• in the powers of the Federal Trade Commission to enforce such a ruling Is another matter. Promulgation of this rule by the Federal Trade Commission seems to us to be another evidence of the usur pation of legislative power by a govero- ment bureau. If Congress deems it wise to have all cigarettes labelled as detrimental to human health It has the right to so decree. We doubt that the Federal Trade Commission has any such power and, if It does, it should be Pooked Into. The power to legislate be- longs in the legislature, not in its crea- tures. Interest attaches to another aspect of this Federal Trade Commission rul• ingf lf the Commission has determined to place warnings upon cigarettes be- cause a considerable weight of inedi• cal opinion believes them to have a casual- relationship to cancer and car• dlo•vascuiar diseases hasn't it opened the door to unlimited legislation affect• ing other products than ctgarettesy Consumption of liquor rarely has a beneficial effect upon the consumer and much evidence may be adduced to show the harm it has done to the public health. Does the Federal Trade Com- mission contemplate ordering warning signs placed upon alcoholic goods? Or, take the matter of bulter, cream, cheese, bacon, lard, etc. A substantial body of medical opinion believes that products of this sort, containing as they do large amounts of cholesterol, tend to Increase the consumer's blood choles- terol to the deteriment of his arteries. Should not these products also bear a warning label? This list might be ex- tended indefinitely, but these illustra- tions are sufficient to indicate the Pan- dora's Box opened by this sort of rule wrongly substituted for law. We are far from convinced of the effectiveness of labelling c~'garetles as possible causes of disease. We also be• [ieve that such action paves the way for othcr warning labels an various products because some healthgrs up or other believes them lo be harmful. How. ever If it Is the considered opinion of Conpess that such action ia in the public Interest we suggest that that body, not some rule•making bureau, take over the joh