OUR OPINION: FDA must move quickly to regulate harmful tobacco products
Jump to full article: Miami (FL) Herald, 2009-06-16
Intro: Tireless efforts by a relatively small but dedicated group of tobacco-fighters finally paid off last week when both houses of Congress passed a bill that puts the tobacco industry under supervision of the Food and Drug Administration. This won't help the millions of addicted smokers whose habit destroyed their health, but it's not too late for current users and new generations of potential smokers. . . .
The first step is to establish a research arm financed by mandatory contributions from the industry to adopt standards for content. Agency scientists should have little trouble identifying the most harmful ingredients, given the in-depth research that has already taken place. The agency should act quickly to remove them from use in cigarettes and should likewise refuse to approve any new tobacco products for distribution to consumers unless they have a benign effect.
There may never be any such thing as a harmless cigarette, but there are ways to reduce the dangers of smoking. The FDA now has the power to make that happen.
Jump to full article » |