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HR 4957 97th Congress House

Comprehensive Smoking Prevention Education Act of 1981

Official title: A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act and the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act to establish a national program under an Office of Smoking… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act and the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act to establish a national program under an Office of Smoking and Health to inform the public of the dangers from smoking, to change the label requirements for cigarettes, and for other purposes.

Introduced: December 10, 1981 See on congress.gov
Health Administrative procedureAdvertisingAdvertising and MarketingAdvisory bodies
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Agriculture and Rural AffairsAgriculture in foreign tradeCitizen lawsuitsConsumer protectionCourts and Civil ProcedureDepartment of Health and Human ServicesDistrict courtsEducationExecutive reorganizationExportsFederal Trade CommissionFederal advisory bodiesFines (Penalties)Foreign Trade and InvestmentsGovernment Operations and Politics
This bill died when the 97th Congress ended
It never became law before the 97th Congress (1981–1982) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 7 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 12, 1982
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Mar 11, 1982
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Mar 5, 1982
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Mar 1, 1982
For Further Action See H.R.5653.
Nov 16, 1981
Referred to Subcommittee on Health and the Environment.
Nov 12, 1981
Referred to House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Nov 12, 1981
Introduced in House
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 Latest action March 12, 1982

Subcommittee Hearings Held.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Comprehensive Smoking Prevention Education Act of 1981 - Amends title XVII (Health Information and Health Promotion) of the Public Health Service Act to establish in the Department of Health and Human Services an Office of Smoking and Health to inform the public of the health hazards of cigarettes. Sets forth the Office's authority and duties, including conducting research and assisting educational programs directly or through grants.

Establishes an Interagency Committee on Smoking and Health to be composed of representatives from the Departments of Labor and Education, the Federal Trade Commission, and any other Federal agency designated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Directs such Committee to meet at least four times a year and names the Director of the Office of Smoking and Health as it chairman.

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to report annually to the Congress.

Amends the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act to make it unlawful to advertise or export (repeals the existing export exemption) cigarettes without the required labeling. Changes labeling requirements.

Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to establish cigarette labeling regulations as set forth by this Act. Eliminates certain congressional notification and reporting requirements.

Increases the fine for violation of such Act from $10,000 to $100,000.

Permits an individual civil action to be brought in U.S. district courts for violations of such Act. Requires such plaintiff to give 60-day notice to the FTC and the defendant. Permits intervention and consolidation. Allows the court to award attorneys fees and other costs.

 Related & companion bills 1
 Committees of jurisdiction 2
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 4957: Comprehensive Smoking Prevention Education Act of 1981. 97th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/97-HR-4957/
MLA
"H.R. 4957: Comprehensive Smoking Prevention Education Act of 1981." 97th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/97-HR-4957/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 4957, 97th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/97-HR-4957/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 4957: Comprehensive Smoking Prevention Education Act of 1981](https://openamerica.io/bill/97-HR-4957/)
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