President Barack Obama is scheduled to sign the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act into law today, giving the FDA unprecedented authority to regulate tobacco, the Associated Press reported.
An event is scheduled today in the Rose Garden where Obama is scheduled to sign the bill, which allows the FDA to reduce nicotine in tobacco products, ban candy flavorings and block labels such “low tar” and “light.” Tobacco companies also will be required to cover their cartons with large graphic warnings.
The law won’t let the FDA ban nicotine or tobacco, but the agency will be able to regulate the ingredients in tobacco products, and make public those ingredients, as well as prohibit marketing campaigns, especially those geared toward kids.
George W. Bush opposed the legislation while he was in office and threatened a veto after it passed the House last year. The Obama administration, by contrast, issued a statement declaring strong support for the legislation and Obama has indicated he would sign such a measure into law.
Obama also has spoken publicly of his own struggle to quit smoking cigarettes.