Senators have given final approval to the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (H.R. 1256) by a vote of 79 to 17.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has indicated that her members will support this bill, with a final vote possible tomorrow but more likely next week. President Obama will then sign it into law.
There were no major amendments, other than the Senate substituting their version into the House bill, adopted on this legislation.
The AP provides a look at the bill’s major provisions:
- Creates a tobacco control center within the FDA and gives the FDA authority to regulate the content, marketing and sale of tobacco products to protect public health.
- Requires tobacco companies and importers to reveal all product ingredients and seek FDA approval for any new tobacco products.
- Allows the FDA to change tobacco product content to protect the public health.
- Bans the use of flavors, including candies and fruit flavors, in tobacco products.
- Calls for new rules that would prevent sales to minors except through direct, face-to-face exchanges between a retailer and a consumer. Limits advertising that could attract young smokers.
- Strengthens warning labels.
- Bars the use of expressions such as “light, “mild” or “low” that give the impression that a tobacco product poses less of a health risk.
- Establishes user fees on tobacco companies to pay for the new regulations.
- Prevents the FDA from banning nicotine or tobacco products.
Update (6/22): This bill has been signed into law by President Obama.
