President Obama signs bill for FDA to regulate tobacco..

June 22, 2009 - President Barack Obama today signed into law an anti-smoking bill that gives the FDA greater power to regulate tobacco.

"More than 400,000 Americans now die of tobacco-related illnesses each year," said Obama. "More than 8 million Americans suffer from at least one serious illness caused by smoking."

Standing in the Rose Garden with a number of lawmakers and other guests, Obama declared: "It is a law that will save American lives." From what we understand one senator present for the signing was Senator Michael Enzi (WY) - here's one of his famous quotes: "Poison peddlers shouldn’t get to decide how we as responsible legislators fight the war against their deadly products."

Obama himself has struggled to quit smoking. He acknowledged in his comments how difficult it can be to quit the habit.

"Today, change has come to Washington," said Obama. "This legislation is a victory for bipartisanship." Remarks By the President at the Signing of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act - June 22, 2009.

What happens next..

Reference: Obama lauds anti-smoking bill, acknowledges it is difficult to quit, Material from The Associated Press used in this report, 6/22/2009.

Click on image to enlarge..; image from: Obama Signs Bill Widening FDA Power Over Tobacco by HENRY J. PULIZZI, The Wall Street Journal, 6/22/2009.

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