Jump to full article: Reuters, 2009-06-12
Author: Susan Heavey
Intro: A landmark bill giving the U.S. government for the first time broad regulatory power over cigarettes and other tobacco products won final approval in Congress on Friday, and President Barack Obama said he would quickly sign it into law. . . .
FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg said there is "a lot of excitement at the agency" to start work on the effort.
"Tobacco is such a serious and compelling public health problem, and we really do feel by being able to regulate tobacco and tobacco products we can reduce the burden of disease and help promote stronger smoking cessation efforts," Hamburg told reporters.
Critics have questioned whether the agency is ready to handle an entire new sector after struggling through recent troubles involving tainted food and drug safety issues.
Some experts have said the bill essentially seals Philip Morris' position as market leader.
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