Health Organizations Cheer Senate Vote on Tobacco Control
THURSDAY, June 11 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Senate's historic vote late Thursday to give the U.S. Food and Drug Administration control over tobacco products brought cheers from health organizations across the country.
The legislation "will finally put an end to Big Tobacco's despicable marketing practices that are designed to addict children to its deadly products," said John R. Seffrin, CEO of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.
"Senate passage of the 'Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act' has the potential to reduce the scourge of tobacco products, which kill more than 400,000 Americans every year," he added.
The bill, already passed by the House and now headed to a bipartisan committee for reconciliation before it gets President Obama's signature, authorizes the FDA to set levels for nicotine and other cigarette ingredients, and requires tobacco makers to list the contents of their products. It also requires the FDA to approve any new products in much the same way that it now does with drugs and medical devices. And it gives the FDA the authority to require stronger warnings on cigarette packaging.
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