Richard B. Heyman

In 1995, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), at the initiative of President Bill Clinton, proposed tobacco regulations that are intended to reduce teen smoking. The regulations, which have since passed but are facing challenges in the courts, eliminate cigarette vending machines, mail samplings and giveways, and brand-identified products such as clothing and sporting gear. In addition, billboards advertising tobacco products are prohibited near schools or playgrounds, other tobacco advertising is restricted to black and white text only, and no ads are permissible at sporting events. Richard B. Heyman claims in the following viewpoint that the FDA regulations are effective and reasonable ways to combat teen smoking. Heyman practices medicine in Cincinnati and is chairman of the Committee on Substance Abuse, American Academy of Pediatrics.

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