In-Class Assignment #3

U.S. panel passes tobacco regulations

By Kip Mooney

Based on a Bloomberg report

After 10 years in limbo, legislation allowing the FDA to regulate the $80-billion-a-year tobacco industry passed in the House, and may have widespread support from Congress.

The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act passed 39-13 in the House today. Back in July, it got 3-1 favorable support but slowed in the Senate over concerns the bill didn't ban menthol cigarettes.

Smoking causes one in five U.S. deaths, and the new bill, backed by Altria, admitted tobacco user President Barack Obama, and the American Lung Association, aims to lower the number by restricting tobacco marketing to youth, adding larger warnings, and requiring the FDA to monitor ingredients and new products.

"Regulating tobabcco is the single most important thing that we can do right now to curb the deadly toll of tobacco, and FDA is the right agency to do the job," Rep. Henry Waxman (D-California) said.

Link to Swivel Data