Is the new anti smoking bill fair?
Critics will see it as yet another “do as I say, not as I do” action from President Barack Obama. But Obama, who has smoked cigarettes for years, on Monday is signing a strong and needed measure aimed at reducing smoking in America, especially among young people. The bill passed by Congress this month gives the Food and Drug Administration the power to regulate tobacco. Under the measure, the FDA can — and should — ban candy flavorings in cigarettes and block labels that promise “low tar” or “light,” which are meaningless come-ons from the industry. But the best part of the bill will allow the government to prohibit any marketing campaigns aimed at getting children to smoke. Obama has smoked for years and has said he has tried to quit. Fortunately, he understands the damage that cigarette smoking can do to Americans. And — unlike former President George W. Bush — Obama is willing to sign a bill making it more difficult for the industry to attract young people to the harmful habit.
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is lauding the passage of historic anti-smoking legislation that gives the government sweeping authority to regulate tobacco products, pledging to quickly sign the measure into law. “For over a decade, leaders of both parties have fought to prevent tobacco companies from marketing their products to children and provide the public with the information they need to understand what a dangerous habit this is,” said Obama, who has struggled for years to kick his own nicotine habit. The House on Friday gave final approval to the bill after a bitter fight lasting nearly a half-century. The measure for the first time will give the Food and Drug Administration authority to regulate what goes into tobacco products, demand changes or elimination of toxic substances and block the introduction of new products. Lawmakers and the White House quickly declared it would save the lives of thousands of smokers of all ages. Even more important, they said, the measur
