The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act
The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act signed into law yesterday will provide the FDA the ability to regulate the tobacco industry. In addition, the act will (hopefully) stop or lessen the aggressive marketing of cigarettes to children.
What will be illegal with the new federal tobacco law:
- selling candy-flavored and fruit-flavored cigarettes
- putting tobacco company logos on sporting, athletic or entertainment events or on clothing and other promotional items
- placing outdoor tobacco ads within 1,000 feet of schools and playgrounds
- using terms such as “low tar,” “light” or “mild” – so-called light cigarettes make no difference to a smoker’s health
In addition:
- cigarette packages will carry larger warning labels, up to 50% of the surface of one side
- tobacco companies may be required to reduce the amount of nicotine in cigarettes
Lawmakers have been trying to pass this legislation for over a decade. 70% of the House voted in favor, as well as 79% of the Senate.
And according to CNN:
Despite a significant decrease in the percentage of Americans who smoke in recent decades, more than 400,000 Americans still die from tobacco-related illnesses every year, the president noted. Tobacco-related health care costs exceed $100 billion annually.
Obama signs bill putting tobacco products under FDA oversight, CNN, June 22, 2009
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President Obama would be better if he will stop smoking also. It would be more convincing to a lot of people and a very good example as well.
The fact that Obama smokes kind of takes away from the punch of him lauding this law. Having said that though, its a step in the right direction to get more oversight into tobacco products. Great news!