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Bills To Regulate Tobacco In Congress

Los Angeles Times, Friday, February 16, 2007 12 PM

A bill introduced in both the House and Senate yesterday would grant the Food and Drug Administration legal authority to regulate nicotine. The FDA would also gain the power to restrict tobacco advertising, require stronger warnings on cigarette packs, mandate reductions in nicotine, regulate additives and set stiff penalties for selling to minors.

The FDA had previously asserted it had such power, but the Supreme Court disagreed, ruling in 2000 that Congress must specifically confer such authority.

Although the White House has not supported similar legislation in the past, it's not clear what position President Bush will take this time. The biggest cigarette company, Philip Morris Cos., favors the legislation. But many smaller companies oppose regulation, in part because it could create roadblocks to competition that would benefit Philip Morris. Most major public-health groups support federal oversight.

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