President Obama signs tobacco regulation bill

Last Monday, June 22, 2009, President Obama signed the strongest anti-smoking law in the history of the United States. The new law, the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, gives the Food and Drug Administration more authority to regulate tobacco products and marketing.

With the passing of the new law, the FDA will now be able to lower the amount of nicotine in tobacco products, ban flavorings that appeal to children and teens such as candy and fruit flavored tobacco, block misleading labels and ban marketing campaigns directed towards children. It also requires tobacco companies to list all of the toxins and additives found in their products as well as have larger, more effective warning labels on their packaging. 

Each day 3,500 children pick up and smoke their first cigarette. Approximately 1,000 children a day will become addicted smokers. With the help of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act this amount will hopefully decrease and we will become one step closer to a smoke free, cancer free America.