In a legislative body where even a single member can successfully slow or block legislation, Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) says he will use "every legislative tool at my disposal" to fight a bill that would give the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulatory power over cigarettes, the Winston-Salem Journal reported Jan. 14.

"I could make it a long and painful process" to get the FDA bill passed, said Burr.

FDA regulation of tobacco has been cited as a top legislative priority by Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.), the new chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. "Empowering the Food and Drug Administration to regulate tobacco products is long overdue," he said. "Effective FDA regulation will help to deter young people from starting to smoke and to assist current smokers in quitting."

The proposal has solid support, particularly among majority Democrats, and Burr admitted that he probably could not muster 40 opponents to support a filibuster. But, he said, "There is no majority-minority in the Senate, although everyone likes to focus on that. With the exception of who you call chairman ... nothing happens unless 100 percent of the senators agree. The rules demand bipartisanship."