Tobacco bill nears approval in Senate; puzzling opposition
I read in our local newspaper this morning that important legislation to control tobacco products is just about to pass the Senate, after an alternate plan by tobacco state senators was defeated.
The main element in the legislation is to give the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulatory powers over tobacco products, i.e., primarily FDA control over cigarette contents. The two senators (what a surprise — both were from North Carolina) who offered alternative legislation said, according to the article I read in this morning’s paper, were concerned that FDA regulation would “hamper the development of safer tobacco products.”
Uh, what?
Let me get this straight — their reasoning (?) says the agency in charge of regulating and approving everything from an over-the-counter fat loss pill to the prescription medication my wife takes to lower her cholesterol levels will somehow make it HARDER to develop “safer” tobacco products??
Really, folks, let’s tell it like it is: The two senators from North Carolina are from the leading tobacco producing state in the nation. They may legitimately be concerned about job losses and business losses in their state. They may also be concerned about lobbying and campaign donations from big tobacco interests. But FDA hindrance of safer tobacco products is very likely not on their list of real concerns.
That’s my sermonette for today, I guess. Hope you’re having a great day and a great week.
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