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Bush Administration Opposes Federal Regulation of Tobacco
July 24, 2008

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News Summary

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Mike Leavitt has informed a House leader that the Bush administration opposes a bill under consideration to allow federal health authorities to regulate tobacco products, the Associated Press reported July 22.

A July 21 letter from Leavitt to U.S. Rep. Joe Barton (R.-Texas), senior Republican on the Energy and Commerce Committee, offers a strong indication that the Bush administration will actively seek to block the legislation. The Energy and Commerce Committee in April approved the bill on a vote of 38-12, with 11 Republican members voting yes.

The legislation would not allow for a ban on nicotine, but would give the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to regulate cigarettes and other tobacco products. The bill language resulted from a compromise between anti-tobacco activists and Philip Morris USA, the nation's leading tobacco company.

Leavitt's letter suggests that FDA regulation of tobacco would create the public misconception that tobacco products have some health benefit, as do the other products the agency regulates. "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 secretary wrote. 

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Posted by bwebb60 on 31 Jul 08 10:22 AM EDT
I am not surprised that the Bush Administration would oppose this. I do find it ridiculous, however, that this has become a political / partisan issue and it scares me that some people would use this as a reason to vote or not vote for a particular candidate in November. There are much bigger reasons to base your vote on, such as the economy & Iraq. The real concern with this tobacco issue should not be politically-based, it is that the tobacco companies continue to deceive the public, market to youth and put things in their tobacco that kill and cause people to become addicted. FDA regulation, if it was appropriately explained & advertised, will keep the tobacco companies on their toes. If Kraft Mac & Cheese has to be regulated so that there are no harmful products being used, than why not tobacco?

Posted by P. Robinson on 28 Jul 08 09:37 PM EDT
Everyone seems to think voting for John McCain means "more of the same." I don't at all. Bush vetoes everything like he is the dictator. I don't think McCain will. In 1997, when McCain was chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, Republican leaders asked him to get involved in negotiations to expand a landmark settlement between state attorneys general and tobacco companies, in which the companies ultimately agreed to give $368 billion to the states. McCain jumped on the issue, saying he wanted to ensure the money was spent wisely on public health. During negotiations with the Clinton administration, he agreed to back an additional measure, the $1.10-per-pack tax hike, with the money to be used for programs designed to cut underage smoking, among other health measures. (source: The Boston Globe) Obama is a smoker. Therefore, I think Obama will be more of the same on this issue.

Posted by Jason Blanchette on 25 Jul 08 06:47 PM EDT
The FDA chief opposes the bill. No one knows the FDA better than the FDA. If the chief opposes it then I also oppose it.

Posted by Mike Levy on 25 Jul 08 06:05 PM EDT
And we're supposed to be surprised by this? Vote for McSame and get four more years of this kind of joy. What the American poeple really needs, is more punishment. I can't believe that there are still people out there that would vote for what could only loosely be called Republican 'leadership'!

Posted by walter103 on 25 Jul 08 08:18 AM EDT
We just have to wait till the november elections, and then you won't have to deal with the words Bush administration opposition to tobacco regulation, There will be tobacco regulation sooner not later, its called the ATF for alcohol, tobacco, and firearms all of them are strictly regulated except tobacco, which you can buy anywhere in the country, tobacco will be sold in government stores, just like liquor, and firearms. Smoking causes lung cancer it is printed on every pack of cigarettes, so any politician who supports tobacco in any way, shape, or form, is responsible for your kids lighting up.

Posted by Donald B Parsons on 25 Jul 08 08:09 AM EDT
I guess that would be appropriate since the FDA does such a great job at regulating all the other products out there killing people. Just have "their people" talk to "our people" and a few dollars later, VOILA, (you are approved) Same as BIG PHARM buying their products approval through the right(greased) palm and keeping up the "WAR ON DRUGS" or at least the ORGANIC , HELPFUL , ones that threatin any of their (poisons) oooopps , I mean MEDICATIONS. Same as companies such as DOW and others that would rather POISON "OUR" MOTHER EARTH with their waste products than admit that there are other products out there that are STRONGER, more DURABLE and are virtually harmless to the PLANET while being produced, consumed, used, or worn. GEORGE WASHINGTON and THOMAS JEFFERSON (founding fathers) "grew" this , ooopps I meant "knew" this as did Mr. LEVI as HEMP , which by the way would make an excellant bio-fuel without taking a FOOD SOURCE of the market for production.

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