Consumption Act of Astoria
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| Long title | An act to provide the federal government of Astoria control over national health, consumption, production and import of hazardous material |
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| Nicknames | 1987 Consumption Act of Astoria, Consumption Act of Astoria of 1987 |
| Effective | January 1, 1988 |
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| Public law | Pub.L. 19–87 |
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| Supreme Court cases | |
The Consumption Act of Astoria (CAA) is a 1987 law enacted in Astoria to address consumer protection and established the nation's complex and expansive set of of consumer health laws. Creating the Federal Regulatory Agency for Health and Sustainability (FRAHS) under the Department of Health and Welfare, the law specified the federal government's ability to regulate all products pertaining to human health. It was introduced into House of Representatives on February 11, 1987 and was approved by a 71-24 majority on February 25, 1987. On August 1, 1987 the Senate passed the law 18-7. President Martha Lindstrom signed the bill on August 29, 1987, and came into effect on January 1, 1988.
While the law has enjoyed bipartisan support through late 20th century and early 21st century by both the National Democratic Party of Astoria and the Progressive–Labor Party of Astoria, it came under scrutiny in 2011 when the law was utilized by Progressive–Labor President Frank Albertini to introduce new health regulations. Since 2011 it has been the target of numerous politicians across the political spectrum, but all attempts to repeal or roll back regulations have failed to be repealed.
The Consumption Act in 1987 initially banned a limited set of drugs, chemicals and materials for commercial use. Drugs that were initially banned included; phenacetin, methandrostenolone, pentylenetetrazol, dimethylamylamine, indoprofen, zimelidine, suprofen, prenylamine. In 1988, nearly twelve more drugs were added. Leaded fuel (Tetraethyllead) was banned federally, and all timelines to phase-out lead by states were dismissed and the ban of lead fuel took effect the very next year. The Consumption Act banned the usage of lead pipelines for drinking water and outlined a ten year program for the replacement of all pipes.
In 2011, several controversial additions to the list of prohibited substances. Substances banned in the amended act included: bisphenol A, dichloromethane, potassium bromate, butylated hydroxytoluene, brominated vegetable oil, ractopamine, bovine somatotropin, olestra, paraben. Phthalate esters were also prohibited, disrupting standard food packaging practices within the country. Although cigarette smoking has historically been rare in Astoria, the federal government attempted to utilize the act to prohibit tobacco smoking; this amendment was struck down in 2012 by Steiner v. Astoria.
In 2021 the act was utilized to ban transgender hormone therapy for adolescents, and is currently the subject of Francis v. Astoria. The act's regulation on foreign made products has led to numerous legal confrontations with members of the American Single Market.