by Janet Hook
Capping a half-century battle with the tobacco industry, the Senate today overwhelmingly approved legislation that would give the federal government far-reaching powers for the first time to regulate the manufacturing and marketing of cigarettes.
The legislation, which was approved 79-17, would allow the Food and Drug Administration to regulate ingredients in tobacco products and ban the marketing of ``light'' cigarettes. In a bid to deter new smokers - especially among children - the bill imposes strict new limits on full-color advertising for cigarettes and requires packs to carry larger warning labels.
The bill is expected to be passed unchanged by the House and sent to President Barack Obama for his signature as early as next week.
The vote was a sign of the diminished clout of the tobacco industry after decades of holding sway on Capitol Hill, thanks to generous campaign contributions, well-connected lobbyists and the seniority of tobacco-state lawmakers, such as the late Sen. Jesse Helms (R-N.C.).
That clout helped the industry weather increasingly hostile political weather in the five decades since the U.S. surgeon general in 1965 mandated that cigarette packages carry the iconic warning label: ``Caution: Cigarette smoking may be hazardous to your health.''
Comments
Good, but not enough. The tobacco industry sells death. Those ghouls profit off of selling a deadly product, responsible for the death of millions, many of whom never bought their poison. I long for the day when the last tobacco farmer has filed for bankruptcy.
Posted by: Tobacco Kills | June 11, 2009 5:06 PM
IT'S ABOUT FREAKING TIME!
Posted by: Repubs are losers | June 11, 2009 6:10 PM
The fall of the citadel.
Posted by: ornery | June 11, 2009 6:17 PM
Oh, oh. Sherri, it's too late. They're in your front pocket, with your pocket protector, making their way into your kitchen!
Posted by: amillionandone | June 11, 2009 8:02 PM
The major addiction here isn't an individual's addiction to cigarettes, but it is the Congress's addiction to tax money. If Congress believes that cigareetes are that harmful, then they s/b outlawed.
Posted by: Terry | June 11, 2009 8:41 PM
Nicotine dissolves soluble flt, a sticky proteing that clots other proteins together, associated with macular degeneration, Alzheimer's, pre-eclampsia... Thus, I believe deaths from heart disease and cancers, and also incidence of Alzheimer's disease and macular degeneration, will increase as tobacco use decreases. Moreover, it is very upsetting to have to put up with all manner of things beyond one's control, and be forbidden to smoke. Yes, Big Brother can watch our every move, and the satellites might zap us, and all our jobs are sold overseas, but we are denied a smoke. I believe all this brute focus on tobacco is actually a tremendous covert effort to completely wipe out friendly communication between strangers that result when strangers smoke together. There's been more clout exerted on tobacco than on handguns, and certainly more than on automobiles. 'They' don't want us talking to each other.
Posted by: Patti Morey | June 12, 2009 12:46 AM
Yes, Virginia, there is hope for America, yet and not just because President Obama is in our White House !! That our government finally declared tobacco a harmful and dangerous substance, is a great step forward, for both, our government, and we, The People !! How many years and how many lives, has it taken us, to see the evils of this product !!? Far too many lives and for too many years, has it taken us to wake up to corporate duplicity, hypocrisy and greed. This characterization of corporate behavior is synonymous of the entity, for the most part. They, corporatists, have lied, they have deceived and they have stole from the American public and they see nothing wrong with it, as we say good-bye to the Auto Industry, as we have known it !! It is time we reined in these " independent, constitutionally-protected fiefdoms ", also known as, corporations !! They have almost sucked America dry, of all of her wealth, from spirit to treasure !! Put the Insurance, the Automotive, the Pharmaceutical, and the Healthcare Corporations on notice: The client, the patron, the patient, the consumer is to be served, not victimized !! Then, America will be the land of the free and the home, of justice for all !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, IL | June 12, 2009 7:12 AM
In the words of the article, it was "clout" that kept the Fed's hands off tobacco.
And obviously there was no "clout" involved in reversing that policy. Because, as we know, "clout" was abolished in January 2009!!!
The one side, driven solely by "clout" and money. The other side, angels. pure as the driven snow.
Posted by: Obama fan | June 12, 2009 9:25 AM
Terry, this bill has nothing to do wioth taxes at all. However, if you believe that Cigarettes aren't harmful, I suggest that you develop a 3 pack a day habit. Chain smoke in the house around your kids.See how well that works out for your family's health.
Posted by: Tobacco Kills | June 12, 2009 9:51 AM
Terry, it isn't even Congress's addiction to the cigarette tax, but also that of state and local governments.
I am not a smoker and never have been, but I find it comical that the same people who want cigarettes outlawed in many cases are the same people who want marijuana legal, as well as other drugs.
Cigarettes are regulated enough, and to have the federal government regulating another industry even more is scary. Bigger warning labels? Sorry, everyone knows the dangers of cigarette smoking. If people want to ignore the dangers, then will choose not to smoke. People know the dangers of mountain climbing, yet many do it. People know the dangers of speeding, yet many do it. People know the dangers of riding a motorcycle or bicycle without a helmet, yet many do it. Regulating every aspect of our lives is simply wrong and ridiculous!
Posted by: John D | June 12, 2009 10:42 AM
Government please get out of our lives. It won't be long you will be telling everyone how many times they can breathe in and out.
Posted by: Paul | June 12, 2009 11:10 AM
I find it comical that the same people who want to protect cigarettes in many cases are the same people who want smoke outlawed. Hold on to your BBQs kids!
Posted by: For comedy, look no further than a Republican. | June 12, 2009 1:14 PM
Tobacco Kills,
Are you stupid or ignorant? This bill has nothing to do with taxes. It has to with an addictive product that politicians tax so they can keep up with their addiction, which is our tax money.
Let's agree - Cigarettes are so bad for people. Why doesn't Congress outlaw them? Fact is, Congress (along with state and local gov'ts as John D correctly points out) are the true addicts in this case.
Posted by: Terry | June 12, 2009 7:50 PM
Posted by: John D | June 12, 2009 10:42 AM
What a MORON! Last time I checked, mountain climbing and riding a motorcycle weren't addictive!! Nicotine is one of the strongest drugson the market and should be regulated period! I hvae been dealing with nicotine addiction for years and let me tellyou something MORON, its nothing compaired to not wearing ahelmit on a bicycle! You never smoked and yet you can form an opinion about the dangers and habits of nicotine?? Please, go find another bad joke about Palin and stick to defending her rather than nicotine!
Posted by: Scot S. Blakeley | June 12, 2009 11:27 PM