Bill Passes That Allows FDA To Regulate Tobacco

June 12, 2009

Listen to the Story

[55 sec]

text sizeA A A

June 12, 2009

A bill aimed at cracking down on tobacco use among adults and children is a step away from the president's desk. The Senate passed a bill Thursday that would give the Food and Drug Administration broad powers to regulate the industry. The House could vote as early as Friday.

STEVE INSKEEP, host:

NPR's business news starts with tough new rules facing the tobacco industry.

(Soundbite of music)

INSKEEP: A bill aimed at cracking down on tobacco use among adults and children is close to the president's desk. The Senate passed a bill yesterday that would give the Food and Drug Administration broad power to regulate the industry. The House could vote as soon as today. This bill would ban tobacco companies from selling candy or fruit flavored cigarettes. It would ban companies from using the words light and low tar to describe their cigarettes implying that they're healthier than others. It will also require tougher warning labels.

Now, as you can imagine, tobacco companies are not thrilled. But one cigarette maker supported this legislation, the makers of Marlboro. The company says the new rules could bring stability and predictability to the industry.

Copyright ©2009 National Public Radio®. All rights reserved. No quotes from the materials contained herein may be used in any media without attribution to National Public Radio. This transcript is provided for personal, noncommercial use only, pursuant to our Terms of Use. Any other use requires NPR's prior permission. Visit our permissions page for further information.

NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by a contractor for NPR, and accuracy and availability may vary. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Please be aware that the authoritative record of NPR's programming is the audio.