uh does anyone see how much a pack of Parliaments cost at this newsstand?!
Stephen made a great comment "how do you regulate a deadly product?"
I don't know STS but i'm banking the world of placebo cigarettes is not to far away. I know the first thing they'll do is get rid of "light" and "ultra light" tags on boxes...maybe a skull and crossbones on boxes? The thing i find most ironic: if government really wanted to get rid of cigs they could easily make them illegal like they did alcohol, like they do with other drugs. But noo why get rid of precious tax money, lets just pretend to care enough to cut back on health care cost
Senate Votes To Allow FDA To Regulate Tobacco
AP, June 11, 2009 · Congress struck the government's strongest anti-smoking blow in decades Thursday as the Senate voted to give regulators new power to limit nicotine in cigarettes, drastically curtail ads and ban candied tobacco products aimed at young people.
Cigarette foes say the changes could cut into the 400,000 deaths every year caused by smoking and reduce the $100 billion in annual health care costs linked to tobacco.
The legislation, one of the most dramatic anti-smoking initiatives since the U.S. surgeon general's warning 45 years ago that tobacco causes lung cancer, would give the Food and Drug Administration authority to regulate the content, marketing and advertising of cigarettes and other tobacco products.
"This legislation represents the strongest action Congress has ever taken to reduce tobacco use, the leading preventable cause of death in the United States," declared Matthew Myers, president of Campaign for Tobacco-free Kids.
The 79-17 Senate vote sends the measure back to the House, which in April passed a similar but not identical version. House acceptance of the Senate bill would send it directly to President Obama, who supports the action. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that "from what I have seen so far, I believe it will be possible for us to accept their bill and send it right on to the president."
Obama's signature would then add tobacco to other huge, nationally important areas that have come under greater government supervision since his presidency began. Those include banking, housing and autos. Still to come, if Congress can agree: health care.
absolutely ridiculous legislation done so that congress can look like the good guys here when they have been complicit from the get go in the tobacco industry's success. this is an issue that the far left should have waited to address post-health care reform. it only serves to create a more divisive environment in washington. i can see the gop perspective where they are going to go into the health care talks feeling like their backs are already against the wall what with washington clearly leaning heavy left since january 20th.
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