Morning:
10°c
Barack Obama gets tough on US tobacco habit
Paul Thompson in Miami12 Jun 2009
Barack Obama is to make a historic strike against smoking in America with sweeping new laws aimed at curbing the habit.
As an ex-smoker who struggled to kick his occasional habit, the President said he is anxious to see the new legislation imposed as soon as possible.
It would give health chiefs powers to limit nicotine in cigarettes and ban flavoured products aimed at enticing young people to smoke, as well as regulating advertising.
Cigarettes marked as "light" or "low tar" will be banned and tobacco companies will not be allowed to say any of their products are less of a health risk.
Rules on sales to minors will be toughened and warning labels are likely to carry even starker messages about the dangers of smoking.
Crucially, the legislation forces the tobacco companies to seek approval for any new product in the same way drugs companies must before they market a new item.
Anti-smoking groups welcomed the move to give the US Food and Drug Administration control over tobacco products.
Mr Obama said the move "will make history by giving the scientists and medical experts at the FDA the power to take sensible steps".
He added: "At any given moment, millions are struggling with their habit or worrying about loved ones who smoke. My administration is committed to protecting our children and reforming our health care system."
Smoking kills more than 400,000 people a year in the US and is estimated to cost the health system more than £75billion.
Reader views (2)
WE THE PEOPLES .WHO DEPEND ON OUR TOBBACO INSTED PILLS THATWE CANNO"T AFFORD.I GOT PTS FROM THE SERVICES.WHERE EVERLY BODY PUT US DOWN? WHERE YOU CAN UP THE PRICE WE STILL BY THEM.AND YOUALL ARE ALL PICKING UN US IF NEEDED A PITTISON WE MAKE UP A COUPPLE OF THEM.YOU THINK YOU WILL STOP YOUNG PEOPLES TO STOP SMOKING THIS IS NOT THE WAY TO DO THIS.MAKE IT LOWER PRICE AND YOU WILL FIND OUT THAT OUR PEOPLES YOUNG AND OLD.ITS LIKE ELLIGALE DRUGS BY GRANT THE DRUGS AND YOUNG PEOPLES WILL QUITE SMOKING.AND BY THE WAY WHEN OUR GOVERMENT IS TRYING TO RUN US LIKE SLAVES.WHERE YOU ALL THINK YOU YOUALL CAN RUN OUR LOVES B.S.
- Roger.Russie, WEEKI WACHEE,FLORIDA, 22/06/2009 16:39
Report abuse
It follows that whatever spin and waffle is thrown at Joe Public in the USA will be implemented in the UK by next week at the very latest.
IF GORMLESS BROWN AND DIZZY DARLING WERE SO CONCERNED ABOUT THE HEALTH RISKS ALLEGEDLY ASSOCIATED WITH SMOKING TOBACCO PRODUCTS, THEY WOULD IMPOSE A TOTAL BAN.
OH! NO! WHAT? AND LOSE THE BILLIONS OF POUNDS IN TAX EVERY YEAR FROM SMOKERS?
THE HYPOCRISY CONTINUES UNABATED.
- Reuben Camara, Morecambe UK, 12/06/2009 11:22
Report abuse
