A bipartisan group of lawmakers led by Sens. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) this week introduced the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, which would give the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the power to regulate tobacco products.

The San Jose Mercury News reported Feb. 15 that the bill would require cigarette makers to disclose the ingredients in their products, allow FDA to regulate nicotine and toxin levels in cigarettes, and give the agency the power to approve or disapprove so-called "reduced risk" cigarettes.

The measure also would give FDA authority to regulate cigarette marketing, ban candy- and fruit-flavored cigarettes, and prohibit the use of terms like "light," "mild," and "low-tar" to sell cigarettes. Larger warning labels also would be required on cigarette packs.

"Congress cannot in good conscience allow the federal agency most responsible for protecting the public health to remain powerless to deal with the enormous risks of tobacco, the most deadly of all consumer products," said Kennedy.

Reps. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) and Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.) will file companion legislation in the House of Representatives. The first hearing on Kennedy's bill will be held on Feb. 27 in the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.