Washington - US President Barack Obama on Friday applauded
Congress for passing legislation that imposes new restrictions on
tobacco products and gives the federal government broad authority to
regulate the industry.
'All of us are finally about to achieve a victory with this
bill,' Obama said shortly after the bill passed the House of
Representatives with a 307-97 vote. The legislation won
overwhelming support in the Senate on Thursday.
Included in the legislation is a ban on the labelling of 'light'
or 'ultra-light' cigarettes and a provision increasing the size of
health warning labels on packages. Anti-smoking advocates argue
cigarettes with less tar are no less harmful to one's health.
The bill for the first time gives a federal regulator, the US
Food and Drug Administration (FDA), broad authority over tobacco
companies. It was welcomed by health advocates and even some major
tobacco companies.
Fruit or sweet-flavoured cigarettes - often criticized for
targeting children - will also be banned, while new warning labels
on cigarette packets will take up about half of the space.
Obama, who has been seen smoking at times in the past, said the
bill 'will make history by giving the scientists and medical experts
at the FDA the power to take sensible steps that will reduce
tobacco's harmful effects and prevent tobacco companies
from marketing their products to children.'
Altria Group, the parent company of cigarette producers Philip
Morris, also welcomed the bill's passage.
'The legislation is an important step forward to achieve the goal
we share with others to provide federal regulation of tobacco
products,' Altria said in a statement.
USA
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