Tobacco.org

EDITORIAL: Assign FDA duty to regulate tobacco  

Only days after a huge increase in the federal tobacco tax took effect, the U.S. House has overwhelmingly approved a bill to assign the Food and Drug Administration the job regulating the industry. The legislation, which includes a ban on flavored cigarettes intended to entice children, is long overdue. . . .

Proponents were disturbed two years ago about the deletion of a provision banning the use of flavors designed for the peddling of cigarettes to children. R.J. Reynolds tried several years ago to market "Kauai Kolada" and "Hawaiian Hints of Pineapple and Coconut." The provision is in the current version and it could be extended by FDA to include menthol flavoring.

The federal tax on cigarettes rose on April 1 from 39 cents to $1.01 a pack, and the state Legislature is considering an increase of 40 cents a pack on July 1. That will boost the retail price of a pack to more than $8 and should drive many smokers to dial 1-800-QUITNOW.

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