Obama: Bill allowing greater regulation of tobacco defines true change in Washington

July 27th, 2009 On the Call: Lorillard CEO Martin OrlowskyNew federal legislation allowing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to regulate nicotine levels in tobacco products and their marketing and to ban candy flavorings and block labels such "low tar" and "light" is in the early stages of going into effect.

July 22nd, 2009 On the Call: Altria Group CEO Michael SzymanczykNew federal legislation allowing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to reduce nicotine in tobacco products, ban candy flavorings and block labels such "low tar" and "light" is expected to hurt Philip Morris USA least among tobacco companies because tighter regulations could cement its position as market leader.

June 23rd, 2009 WASHINGTON - While President Barack Obama continues to struggle with his addiction to cigarettes; he has signed the tobacco regulation measure into law for the cause of health care reform. Calling it "a victory for bipartisanship" and "a victory for health care reform," President Obama signed the law this afternoon during a Rose Garden ceremony attended by anti-smoking groups and members of Congress.

June 22nd, 2009 Obama lauds anti-smoking billWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama has signed the strongest anti-smoking measure ever, calling it an extraordinary accomplishment that will help keep children from getting hooked on cigarettes. Standing in the Rose Garden with a number of lawmakers and other guests, Obama declared: "It is a law that will save American lives." The legislation gives the Food and Drug Administration unprecedented authority to regulate tobacco and cigarette marketing.

June 22nd, 2009 Obama to sign anti-smoking bill in Rose GardenWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is set to sign into law an anti-smoking bill that will give the Food and Drug Administration unprecedented authority to regulate tobacco. Obama is scheduled to sign the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act during an event Monday in the Rose Garden.

June 22nd, 2009 Obama to sign tobacco bill on MondayWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is to sign the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. The law allows the Food and Drug Administration to reduce nicotine in tobacco products, ban candy flavorings and block labels such as "low tar" and "light." The bill, to be signed Monday during a Rose Garden event, also requires tobacco companies to cover their cartons with large graphic warnings and reveal what chemicals they put into their products.

June 22nd, 2009 Obama signs anti-smoking bill, cites own struggleWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama cited his own long struggle to quit the cigarettes he got hooked on as a teenager as he signed the nation's strongest-ever anti-smoking bill Monday and praised it for providing critically needed protections for kids. "The decades-long effort to protect our children from the harmful effects of tobacco has emerged victorious," Obama said at a signing ceremony in the White House Rose Garden.

June 12th, 2009 House set to send FDA tobacco bill to ObamaWASHINGTON — Congress on Friday sent to the White House legislation that gives the federal government vast new powers to regulate and restrict cigarettes, the single largest cause of preventable death. President Barack Obama has given strong support to the measure that for the first time gives the Food and Drug Administration authority to examine what goes into tobacco products, ban those ingredients deemed dangerous to health and limit marketing and sales.

June 12th, 2009 Congress sends Obama bill to regulate tobaccoWASHINGTON — Congress sent legislation to the White House Friday granting the federal government unprecedented authority to regulate and restrict cigarettes, the single largest cause of preventable death. President Barack Obama quickly expressed his support, appearing in the Rose Garden almost immediately after the House gave final approval to the bill giving the Food and Drug Administration control over tobacco production, marketing and sales.

June 11th, 2009 Main provisions of FDA tobacco legislationMain provisions of legislation giving the Food and Drug Administration authority to regulate the production and marketing of tobacco products: — Creates a tobacco control center within the FDA and gives the FDA authority to regulate the content, marketing and sale of tobacco products to protect public health. — Requires tobacco companies and importers to reveal all product ingredients and seek FDA approval for any new tobacco products.

June 9th, 2009 Senate rejects challenge to FDA tobacco billWASHINGTON — The Senate on Tuesday rejected the main challenge to legislation giving the Food and Drug Administration sweeping controls over tobacco products, easing the way for passage of the measure this week. The alternative was offered by the two senators from North Carolina, the nation's biggest tobacco grower.

June 6th, 2009 Defending Big Tobacco is a lonely fight these daysWASHINGTON — Like smoking, defending tobacco just isn't cool anymore. Just ask GOP Sen.

June 2nd, 2009 Senate advances bill to regulate tobaccoWASHINGTON — The Senate took a step Tuesday toward giving the government some controls over the tobacco industry, bolstering the chances that a long-sought goal of anti-smoking advocates will finally be realized. The 84-11 Senate vote to consider the bill came a month after the House overwhelmingly passed a similar measure giving the Food and Drug Administration authority to regulate cigarettes and other tobacco products.

April 2nd, 2009 WASHINGTON - The US House of Representatives Thursday approved tougher anti-smoking controls in the US, for the first time granting a government agency the power to regulate tobacco products. The House voted 298-112 to hand the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) control over advertising and even the contents of cigarettes, though it does not allow the agency to ban tobacco outright.

March 20th, 2009 WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama congratulated the Iranians on their New Year early on Friday, hinting that the United States might be willing to ease trade sanctions against Tehran if it behaves more responsibly in international affairs. Obama4s comments, which were videotaped for broadcast to the Iranian people, contrasted with exhortations from the Bush administration for the Iranian people to rise up and overturn their Islamic government, reports the Washington Times.