President Obama says he's looking forward to signing the law that gives the Food and Drug Administration broad powers to regulate tobacco ingredients and the sales and marketing of cigarettes and other tobacco products which are blamed for tens of thousands of deaths each year.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs says that it will reflect on Obama's own efforts to kick smoking:
"He understands the struggles of millions of Americans with tobacco."
Obama praises the anti-smoking legislation, which will drastically change the landscape of the tobacco industry:
"For over a decade, leaders of both parties have fought to prevent tobacco companies from marketing their products to children and provide the public with the information they need to understand what a dangerous habit this is,"
Under the legislation:
- Cigarette packages will have warning labels that cover 50 percent of the front and rear. The word "warning" must be included in capital letters.
- Any remaining tobacco-related sponsorships of sports and entertainment events will be banned, as will giveaways of non-tobacco items with the purchase of a tobacco product. A federal ban will be imposed on all outdoor tobacco advertising within 1,000 feet of schools and playgrounds.
- Point-of-sale advertising will be limited to adults-only facilities, and remaining vending machines will disappear except in places restricted to adults. Retailers who sell to minors will be subject to federal enforcement and penalties.
- Smokers, particularly the younger crowd, will find they can no longer buy cigarettes sweetened by candy flavors or any herb or spices such as strawberry, grape, orange, clove, cinnamon or vanilla. Cigarettes advertised as "light" or "mild," giving the impression that they aren't as harmful to health, will no longer be found on store shelves.
An estimated 45 million Americans are smokers, despite the long-standing Surgeon General's warning that tobacco causes lung cancer.
The Senate passed the FDA bill by a 79-17 vote. The House followed with a 307-97 vote.
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