---
kind: "section"
citation: "15 U.S.C. § 1341"
title: "15"
title_heading: "Commerce and Trade"
number: "1341"
heading: "Smoking, research, education and information"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/15/1341"
units:
  - "Chapter 36 — Cigarette Labeling and Advertising"
---

# §1341. Smoking, research, education and information

- (a) **Establishment of program; Secretary; functions—** The [Secretary](/usc/15/1332.md?p=9) of Health and Human Services (hereinafter in this section referred to as the “[Secretary](/usc/15/1332.md?p=9)”) shall establish and carry out a program to inform the public of any dangers to human health presented by [cigarette](/usc/15/1332.md?p=1) smoking. In carrying out such program, the [Secretary](/usc/15/1332.md?p=9) shall—
  - (1) conduct and support research on the effect of [cigarette](/usc/15/1332.md?p=1) smoking on human health and develop materials for informing the public of such effect;
  - (2) coordinate all research and educational programs and other activities within the Department of Health and Human Services (hereinafter in this section referred to as the “Department”) which relate to the effect of [cigarette](/usc/15/1332.md?p=1) smoking on human health and coordinate, through the Interagency Committee on Smoking and Health (established under [subsection (b)](#b)), such activities with similar activities of other Federal agencies and of private agencies;
  - (3) establish and maintain a liaison with appropriate private entities, other Federal agencies, and [State](/usc/15/1332.md?p=3) and local public agencies respecting activities relating to the effect of [cigarette](/usc/15/1332.md?p=1) smoking on human health;
  - (4) collect, analyze, and disseminate (through publications, bibliographies, and otherwise) information, studies, and other data relating to the effect of [cigarette](/usc/15/1332.md?p=1) smoking on human health, and develop standards, criteria, and methodologies for improved information programs related to smoking and health;
  - (5) compile and make available information on [State](/usc/15/1332.md?p=3) and local laws relating to the use and consumption of [cigarettes](/usc/15/1332.md?p=1); and
  - (6) undertake any other additional information and research activities which the [Secretary](/usc/15/1332.md?p=9) determines necessary and appropriate to carry out this section.
- (b) **Interagency Committee on Smoking and Health; composition; chairman; compensation; staffing and other assistance—**
  - (1) To carry out the activities described in paragraphs [(2)](#a-2) and [(3)](#a-3) of subsection (a) there is established an Interagency Committee on Smoking and Health. The Committee shall be composed of—
    - (A) members appointed by the [Secretary](/usc/15/1332.md?p=9) from appropriate institutes and agencies of the Department, which may include the National Cancer Institute, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the National Institute on [Drug](/usc/15/55.md?p=c) Abuse, the Health Resources and Services [Administration](/usc/15/636e.md?p=1), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;
    - (B) at least one member appointed from the Federal Trade Commission, the Department of Education, the Department of Labor, and any other Federal agency designated by the [Secretary](/usc/15/1332.md?p=9), the appointment of whom shall be made by the head of the entity from which the member is appointed; and
    - (C) five members appointed by the [Secretary](/usc/15/1332.md?p=9) from physicians and scientists who represent private entities involved in informing the public about the health effects of smoking.

    The [Secretary](/usc/15/1332.md?p=9) shall designate the chairman of the Committee.

  - (2) While away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of services for the Committee, members of the Committee shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistance,[^1] in the manner provided by sections 5702 and 5703 of title 5.
  - (3) The [Secretary](/usc/15/1332.md?p=9) shall make available to the Committee such staff, information, and other assistance as it may require to carry out its activities effectively.
- (c) **Report to Congress; contents—** The [Secretary](/usc/15/1332.md?p=9) shall transmit a report to Congress not later than January 1, 1986, and biennially thereafter which shall contain—
  - (1) an overview and assessment of Federal activities undertaken to inform the public of the health consequences of smoking and the extent of public knowledge of such consequences,
  - (2) a description of the [Secretary](/usc/15/1332.md?p=9)’s and Committee’s activities under [subsection (a)](#a),
  - (3) information regarding the activities of the private sector taken in response to the effects of smoking on health, and
  - (4) such recommendations as the [Secretary](/usc/15/1332.md?p=9) may consider appropriate.

## Footnotes

[^1]: So in original. Probably should be “subsistence,”.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 98–474, § 3, Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2200; Pub. L. 99–92, § 13, Aug. 16, 1985, 99 Stat. 404; Pub. L. 102–531, title III, § 312(a), Oct. 27, 1992, 106 Stat. 3504; Pub. L. 110–154, § 1(c)(1), Dec. 21, 2007, 121 Stat. 1827.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Codification

Section was enacted as part of the Comprehensive Smoking Education Act, and not as part of the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act which comprises this chapter.

### Amendments

2007—Subsec. (b)(1)(A). Pub. L. 110–154 substituted “Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development” for “National Institute of Child Health and Human Development”.

1992—Subsec. (b)(1)(A), Pub. L. 102–531 substituted “Centers for Disease Control and Prevention” for “Centers for Disease Control”.

1985—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 99–92 substituted “1986” for “1985”.