The U.S. House passed a bill today to give the Food and Drug Administration the power to regulate cigarettes and other tobacco products. The bill must still pass the Senate before the President can sign it into law. The bill is primarily intended to regulate cigarettes, but also specifically includes little cigars as one of several "other tobacco products". Although large cigars are not specifically mentioned, the bill does state that it also applies to "any other tobacco products that the Secretary by regulation deems to be subject to this chapter." Cigar and tobacco companies disagree on whether to support or oppose the bill. Read the purposes of the proposed Act, then decide for yourself if you support or oppose this proposed legislation:
- to provide authority to the Food and Drug Administration to regulate tobacco products under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.), by recognizing it as the primary Federal regulatory authority with respect to the manufacture, marketing, and distribution of tobacco products as provided for in this Act;
- to ensure that the Food and Drug Administration has the authority to address issues of particular concern to public health officials, especially the use of tobacco by young people and dependence on tobacco;
- to authorize the Food and Drug Administration to set national standards controlling the manufacture of tobacco products and the identity, public disclosure, and amount of ingredients used in such products;
- to provide new and flexible enforcement authority to ensure that there is effective oversight of the tobacco industry's efforts to develop, introduce, and promote less harmful tobacco products;
- to vest the Food and Drug Administration with the authority to regulate the levels of tar, nicotine, and other harmful components of tobacco products;
- in order to ensure that consumers are better informed, to require tobacco product manufacturers to disclose research which has not previously been made available, as well as research generated in the future, relating to the health and dependency effects or safety of tobacco products;
- to continue to permit the sale of tobacco products to adults in conjunction with measures to ensure that they are not sold or accessible to underage purchasers;
- to impose appropriate regulatory controls on the tobacco industry;
- to promote cessation to reduce disease risk and the social costs associated with tobacco -related diseases; and
- to strengthen legislation against illicit trade in tobacco products.
Comments
Looks like more regulations for the anti-smoking zealots to use as ammo in their war against big tobacco. The cost will be passed on to consumers, resulting in even higher tobacco prices.
I really do not mind the tax increase. Cigars are not good for your health. I still enjoy a cigar every now and then.
Big Brother hates tobacco but loves the tax money. The FDA is a joke and cannot effectively regulate drugs on the market. Remember Haprin?
I mind very much Any Tax increase on Tobacco. That has been overly taxed enough now and use to foot the bill for child health care alone is beyond belief.
Besides we don’t smoke cigars because they are healthy but they are healthier then cigarettes but thats not the point we smoke cause we enjoy it.
I don’t want FDA anywhere near Cigars they will destroy them and the industry itself in trying to fix something that is not broken. Now cigarette are another thing.
This is just another way for our corrupt government to regulate floor taxes from state to state so they can charge all retail customers the outraguos state floor taxes that range from3% to 75% and more.Just one more thing the large suppliers will have to collect from the already over taxed Americans.They think we are fools so they try to hide this by useing the we are looking out for your health B.S.THINK ABOUT THAT!!!!!
So Obama& Dems want to BaN tobacco
and LEGALIZE marijuana… One sided&Ignorant!!!
How about we start adding extra taxes to places like McDonald’s, Burger King and such. Scale in every store, if you’re overweight you get charged an extra tax. Since you fatasses are costing the health care industry and public alot more than tobacco users.