New attempt at tobacco control
Washington -- Sen. William Frist, MD, (R, Tenn.) and Sen. John McCain (R, Ariz.) last month introduced legislation to grant the Food and Drug Administration authority over tobacco. In March, the Supreme Court struck down the FDA's effort to exert jurisdiction, saying Congress had not bestowed such power.
The bill would allow the FDA to oversee the sale, distribution and marketing of tobacco products to decrease use by teens. It would also allow the FDA to set performance standards and to encourage development of safer cigarettes.
Some provisions in the proposal, however, have given pause to some public health advocates. The bill would reserve for Congress the power to ban tobacco products or reduce nicotine content. The bill would not let the FDA apply its regulations to cigarettes for export.
Back to top
Copyright 2000 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
