Tobacco News and Interesting Information

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Two-thirds of adults in the United States would grant the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the power to further regulate the tobacco industry, according to a poll by TNS released by the Washington Post and ABC News. 66 per cent of respondents support the FDA making decisions on cigarette contents and marketing, while 32 per cent are opposed.

The U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions has proposed a bill that would let the FDA restrict tobacco advertising, prevent cigarette sales to minors, toughen warning labels, bar misrepresentation of tobacco's dangers, and order the removal of harmful ingredients from cigarettes.

The bill would also affect the amount of tar and nicotine found in cigarettes. It enjoys the support of lawmakers from both the Democratic and Republican parties, as well as from Philip Morris USA, a major tobacco company. Smaller cigarette manufacturers oppose the bill, which they deem as favourable to Phillip Morris.

In 2000, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the FDA could not regulate the tobacco industry without congressional action.

On Jul. 25, the Senate started a series of debates about this particular bill. Committee chairman and Democratic Massachusetts senator Ted Kennedy declared he is confident the bill will be approved, adding, "Smoking is the No. 1 preventable cause of death in America. Congress cannot continue to ignore a public health problem of this magnitude. As sure as I'm sitting here (...) we'll get it."

Polling Data

Would you support or oppose giving the U.S. Food and Drug Administration the power to regulate cigarettes, which could lead to greater restrictions on their tar and nicotine content and how they can be marketed and sold?

Support 66%

Oppose 32%

Unsure 2%