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FDA to Regulate Cigarettes

Congress set to pass law to give feds power over toxic ingredients

By Dustin Lushing, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 26, 2007 7:15 AM CDT

(Newser) – Congress is set to pass a law today that will give the federal FDA the same power over tobacco it has over drugs and medical devices. Identical bills in both houses, hailed by the American Lung Association as a "win for public health," would allow the government to regulate levels of tar, nicotine and other hazardous ingredients in new cigarette products.

But not all experts are happy about the law, and some argue it won't help curb tobacco use, which kills 436,000 Americans a year. "The very idea of putting a deadly product like this under the FDA creates a perceived seal of approval," said one doctor. Tobacco smoke contains some 4,000 chemicals, including at least 40 known to cause cancer.

Packs of Camel cigarettes are shown at Charlie's Tobacco Outlet in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, July 25, 2007. Reynolds American Inc., the nation's second-largest tobacco company, said Wednesday, July... (Associated Press)

Packs of Kool cigarettes are shown at Charlie's Tobacco Outlet in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, July 25, 2007. Reynolds American Inc., the nation's second-largest tobacco company, said Wednesday, July 25,... (Associated Press)

A Marlboro cigarette burns as it sits on a pack of Marlboro cigarettes in this Jan. 31, 2007 file photo in Trenton, N.J. Altria Group Inc., owner of the Philip Morris cigarette companies, said Wednesday... (Associated Press)

Dulles Airport Helps Travellers Navigate Security Checkpoints (Getty Images)

Smoking Ban Comes Into Effect In England (Getty Images)

An employee at British American Tobacco (Getty Images)

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FDA to Regulate Cigarettes

Congress set to pass law to give feds power over toxic ingredients

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House Votes to Let FDA Regulate Tobacco

Cigarettes would be controlled by FDA

Waking Up to a Cigarette Raises Cancer Risk

So try to hold off for at least an hour

E-Cigarettes Escape Tighter Regulation

Court decides electronic smokes should be treated like tobacco

Feds Wants Diseased Lungs, Corpses on Cigarettes

FDA presents 36 labels for public scrutiny

'Light,' 'Mild' Cigarette Labels Outlawed

FDA ban on flavored smokes goes into effect today

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FDA to Regulate Cigarettes

Congress set to pass law to give feds power over toxic ingredients

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

FDA • cigarettes • tobacco • Phillip Morris • American Lung Association • medical devices • tar • nicotine • American Medical Association

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

House Votes to Let FDA Regulate Tobacco

Cigarettes would be controlled by FDA

Waking Up to a Cigarette Raises Cancer Risk

So try to hold off for at least an hour

E-Cigarettes Escape Tighter Regulation

Court decides electronic smokes should be treated like tobacco

Feds Wants Diseased Lungs, Corpses on Cigarettes

FDA presents 36 labels for public scrutiny

'Light,' 'Mild' Cigarette Labels Outlawed

FDA ban on flavored smokes goes into effect today

About Us

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Newser By Users

Community

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What is Newser?