Bill to Regulate Tobacco Reintroduced

Legislation that gives the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to regulate the sale and marketing of cigarettes and other tobacco products has been reintroduced in the House of Representatives, and is likely to become law during the current session of Congress, the Associated Press reported March 2.

Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) reintroduced the bill and expressed optimism that the legislation, with President Obama’s support, will enjoy bipartisan backing. “I believe most members of Congress share my desire to pass meaningful and truly effective tobacco legislation to reduce youth smoking,” Waxman said.

Similar legislation passed the House in 2008, but stalled in the Senate when then-President Bush threatened a veto of the bill.

Some opponents say the FDA will be unable to absorb responsibility for regulating tobacco. “I believe it’s going to gut the agency’s resources and distract it from its core mission,” said Scott Gottlieb, a deputy FDA commissioner during the Bush administration.

The bill’s advocates, however, say the time is right for the legislation to pass. “Federal government oversight is necessary to hold the industry accountable,” said Nancy Brown, head of the American Heart Association.

A vote on the bill by the Energy and Commerce Committee is expected on Wednesday, March 4.