Federal tobacco regulation backed...

August 2, 2007 - Federal tobacco regulation backed. The bill called the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act was approved 13 - 8 by the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committe would give the Food and Drug Administration authority to restrict tobacco advertising, regulate warning labels and remove hazardous ingredients. The bill now goes to the full Senate where is expected to pass. It is thought that Philip Morris (PM) USA was involved with crafting the bill - e.g. in the latest version of the bill, cloves joined menthol as the only additives specifically allowed in tobacco (see related Newsbrief - July 21, 2007. PM broke from its competitors to endorse FDA regulation. The competitors are opposed to the bill, indicating it would lock in PM' dominant market share (Raleigh, News & Observer). (In 2006 PM USA cigarette market share was 50.3% and Marlboro's share was 40.5%) Responding to the bill’s approval UST Inc noted it was disappointedthat the committee had not addressed the distinct differences between smokeless tobacco and cigarettes in their consideration of the legislation. "Smokeless tobacco products are different than cigarettes in many respects, and we believe this legislation should take that into account,” Todd A. Walker, UST vice-president, federal government relations, was quoted as saying. “There is a general acceptance in the public health and scientific communities that cigarette smoking is significantly more dangerous than the use of smokeless tobacco. (UST Inc. is a holding company for its principal subsidiaries: U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company and International Wine & Spirits Ltd.) Click on Image to Enlarge - Tobacco is harmful in any form..