National Consumers League calls for passage of bill requiring helmet protections for youth – National Consumers League

July 28, 2017

Following report on long-term effects of football head injuries, consumer org calls on Congress to act

Contact: Cindy Hoang, National Consumers League, (202) 207-2832, cindyh@nclnet.org

Washington, DC–This week’s release of groundbreaking research examining the link between the repeated blows to the head endured by professional football players and the risk of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (C.T.E.) highlights the urgent need for Congress to take action to address this important consumer safety issue.

The National Consumers League (NCL) has long supported public policies that would improve the safety of sports equipment, particularly as it related to concussion prevention. For example, in March 2011 it was one of the first consumer groups to support the Child Sports Athletic Equipment Safety Act, landmark legislation that would have required makers of football helmets to develop a voluntary safety standard for helmets that address concussion risk and the needs of youth players. Today, NCL supports legislation such as the Youth Sports Concussion Act, introduced by Senator Tom Udall (D-NM), that would crack down on deceptive advertising in the athletic sporting equipment market.

The following statement is attributable to Sally Greenberg, NCL executive director:

“ As the JAMA research again underscores, repeated blows to the head can have devastating long-term health consequences. Reducing the risk to athletes, particularly youth, from sports-related concussions is a fixable problem that can and should be addressed through common-sense product safety standards. NCL has long supported legislation that would direct the Consumer Product Safety Commission and other consumer protection agencies to develop regulations that lead to safer helmets.”

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About the National Consumers League

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.