Although a floor vote is expected in the House this summer, a protracted battle with the Bush Administration could prevent chances for passing the tabacco bill this year. The Bush administration opposes tabacco regulation which would allow the Food and Drug Administration to regulate cigarettes and other tobacco products.

Bush Strongly Opposes Tobacco Bill

By Jennifer Hong
Jul 22, 2008 21:13 PM GMT
Although a floor vote is expected in the House this summer, a protracted battle with the Bush Administration could prevent chances for passing the tabacco bill this year.

The Bush administration opposes tabacco regulation which would allow the Food and Drug Administration to regulate cigarettes and other tobacco products.

The Bush administration will try to block the legislation, which is supported by majorities in both chambers, and lists both presidential contenders among its co-sponsors.

"The administration would strongly oppose this legislation," Health and Human Services Sec. Michael Leavitt said.

Although the government would not be able to outlaw tobacco or ban nicotine, regulators by the Food and Drug Administration could demand elimination of other hazardous ingredients in cigarettes.

The tobacco bill represents a compromise between anti-tobacco activists and Philip Morris USA, the nation's largest tobacco company.

"Unlike the medical products FDA regulates, tobacco products cannot be made safe, and there is no medically established public health benefit associated with tobacco," Leavitt said. "Adding tobacco to FDA's regulatory responsibilities could also leave the public with the misperception that tobacco products are safe, or at least safer, with the FDA regulating them."

The Bush administration had voiced similar concerns before, but had stopped short of declaring outright opposition. Leavitt said in the letter that the White House agreed with his view.

Republican presidential candidate John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama are both co-sponsors of the bill.


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Although a floor vote is expected in the House this summer, a protracted battle with the Bush Administration could prevent chances for passing the tabacco bill this year.