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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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Obama Sees 'Victory' in Passage of FDA-Tobacco Bill

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(Newser) – President Obama praised the passage of a bill allowing the FDA to regulate tobacco products as “a long time coming," the Hill reports. The legislation, which sailed through the House this morning, grants the agency new power to regulate tobacco ingredients and marketing. "After a decade of opposition, all of us are about to achieve victory with this bill," said Obama, a former smoker.

The bill not only allows regulators to ban misleading cigarette ads but also mandates that advertising be in black-and-white only, forbids the production of sweet-flavored products , and permits drastic reduction of nicotine content, the Raleigh News & Observer reports. The measure also addresses a Clinton-era Supreme Court ruling that the FDA needed congressional approval to regulate tobacco.

President Barack Obama delivers remarks in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Friday, June 12, 2009, about the passage of landmark tobacco legislation.
President Barack Obama delivers remarks in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Friday, June 12, 2009, about the passage of landmark tobacco legislation.   (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)
Migrant workers harvest burley tobacco in Traphill, N.C.
Migrant workers harvest burley tobacco in Traphill, N.C.   (AP Photo/Gerry Broome, File)
The US Senate voted Thursday on legislation that for the first time would give the FDA new powers to control the production and marketing of tobacco products.
The US Senate voted Thursday on legislation that for the first time would give the FDA new powers to control the production and marketing of tobacco products.   (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
A customer at the Red Key Tavern in Indianapolis lights a cigarette, Thursday, June 11, 2009. South Carolina has the lowest state sales tax on cigarettes in the country.
A customer at the Red Key Tavern in Indianapolis lights a cigarette, Thursday, June 11, 2009. South Carolina has the lowest state sales tax on cigarettes in the country.   (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
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12 comments
VIEWING:
 
psycada
Jun 12, 09 2:52 PM CDT
Since, cigarettes will now be made safe and with less chemical additives, does this mean all the taxes that have been added to allegedly pay for future health issues of smokers will be repealed? Didn't think so....Once taxed, always taxed. Reply
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+2
IN RESPONSE:
keybored
Jun 12, 09 3:39 PM CDT
I don't think cigarettes will ever be safe.
Vote up! Vote down!
+3
IN RESPONSE:
Hip
Jun 12, 09 3:48 PM CDT
Safe cigarettes? Less chemical additives? Keep smoking and you won't have to worry about paying taxes...
Vote up! Vote down!
+2
onebadc20
Jun 12, 09 4:57 PM CDT
It’s all a plot for the government to increase their tax revenue off from tobacco. Limiting the amount of nicotine will result in weaker cigarettes, which will mean smokers will have to smoke more to fulfill the craving. That means more packs sold equaling more tax revenue. Reply
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+2
IN RESPONSE:
NutsInNY
Jun 12, 09 5:10 PM CDT
Aye, call it a stupid tax.
Vote up! Vote down!
+2

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