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EDITORIAL: Tobacco, Public Health, and the FDA 

Importantly, the act will also allow regulation of so-called modified risk tobacco products, which are typically identified by terms on the package such as "light," "low," or "mild." The use of such terms will no longer be permitted unless the product has been shown to significantly reduce harm. Warning labels on cigarette packages will be made more graphic and will require the use of color. Tobacco companies may no longer sponsor sporting events.

For the first time in almost 40 years, state and local governments will be allowed to regulate the marketing of tobacco, establishing restrictions that may be more rigorous than those of the FDA. In addition, the act requires that the 1996 Tobacco Rule, which was put in place by Commissioner Kessler and deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, must be reinstated. . . .

The total annual health care expenditures caused by smoking run to $96 billion.4 Along with other critical prevention goals, such as controlling obesity and increasing levels of physical activity, the elimination of cigarette smoking is central to improving the health of our citizens and mitigating the growth of health care costs.

The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act of 2009 comes at a propitious moment in U.S. history. We strongly support the FDA's new leaders and urge them to implement the act aggressively. As a medical journal, we are committed to eliminating the public health threat tobacco represents to American society and the world.

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