WASHINGTON — Legislation that would give the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authority to regulate the manufacturing and marketing of tobacco products was approved by the Senate yesterday, according to reports.
After the House reviews the Senate’s version of the measure, President Obama is expected to sign the bill into law.
It would create a tobacco center within the FDA that would be funded by fees from the industry, and granted the authority to ban the use of certain chemicals in cigarettes, and reduce the amount of nicotine in tobacco products, as well as set limits on advertising and promotions. It could, for instance, require larger warning labels on cigarette packs, and require tobacco companies to disclose details about ingredients.
It would not allow the FDA to ban all tobacco products, order the complete removal of nicotine from tobacco products or raise the national age to purchase tobacco products above 18 years.
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