June 12, 2009

Just what we need - more government oversight in our personal lives

From MyWay/Associated Press:
House set to send FDA tobacco bill to Obama
After more than a decade of efforts by smoking opponents, Congress prepared to take a final vote Friday on legislation giving the government far-reaching powers to regulate tobacco and limit tobacco industry marketing and sales practices that lure young people into smoking habits.

The House was expected to give overwhelming approval to legislation that for the first time gives the Food and Drug Administration authority to ban tobacco ingredients deemed dangerous to health, prohibit use of candied and flavored cigarettes popular among young people and prohibit use of words such as "mild" or "light" that give the impression that the brand is safer.

Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., a leader in anti-smoking campaigns, said the bill was "truly historic and puts us one small step away from finally acting to address the tobacco epidemic in our country."
Noble words but buried in another paragraph:
It gives the FDA power to order changes to ingredients, including tar and nicotine, to protect public health.
Emphasis mine. Waxman needs to get booted out of office ASAP. Posted by DaveH at June 12, 2009 8:41 PM | TrackBack
Comments

thank you for pointing out that it gives them the power to change ingredients this is an important aspect of the story. Essentially, the bill requires companies to lower nicotine levels which means smokers will purchase more cigs to fuel their habit. The take away from this piece of legislation is that it has made it easier for the federal government to increase tax revenue from cigarettes, see this for more: http://www.newsy.com/videos/new_sheriff_in_town

Posted by: @robotsoul at June 15, 2009 10:57 AM
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