U.S. FDA Given Power to Regulate Tobacco Products

On Thursday, July 15, 2004 the United States Senate voted to approve legislation that provides the Food and Drug Administration with the power to regulate all tobacco products.

FDA Logo, FDA Tobacco Regulation


This would give the FDA the authority to:

  • Restrict advertising and promotions that appeal to children.
  • Stop illegal sales of tobacco products to children.
  • Require changes in tobacco products, such as the reduction or elimination of harmful chemicals, to make them less toxic or less addictive.
  • Prohibit unsubstantiated health claims about so-called “reduced risk” tobacco products that would have the effect of discouraging current tobacco users from quitting or encouraging new users to start.
  • Require the disclosure of the contents of tobacco products and tobacco industry research about the health effects of their products.
  • Require larger and more informative health warnings on tobacco products.

View a summary of the key aspects of this bill.
Summary >>

FDA Regulation Documents

Bill S. 2461

Bill S. 2461 (MS Word Doc)

Statement of Henry K. Waxman Introduction of "Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act" (PDF)

FDA Bill Summary

Actual FDA Bill Senate Votes
News

Washington Post: U.S. Senate Backs Bill to Regulate Tobacco and Buyout Farmers [7/16/04]

New York Times: Senate Approves New Powers Over Tobacco [7/16/04]

LA Times: Senate OKs Buyout for Tobacco Growers, Cigarette Regulation [7/16/04]

Wall Street Journal: Hurdles Await Tobacco FDA Regulation [07/18/04]

Wall Street Journal Opinion: Congress's Marlboro Men [07/20/04]

Newsday Opinion: Tax Cuts Poor Trade-off for Tobacco Regulation [07/21/04]



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