Swapping nearly $90 billion a year, the U.S. tobacco industry would now fall under the regulations of the Food and Drug Administration. Supporting 326 to 102 for the idea, the FDA will now have the power to regulate tobacco products – for decades considered a health hazard.
Meanwhile, voicing "serious concerns" about the bill, the White House said they would recommend a presidential veto.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Henry Waxman was intended largely to cut down on tobacco use among children.
Emphasizing upon the idea, Rep. Frank Pallone (D., N.J.) said, "While it may be true that a lot of adults know what they're doing when they smoke and they know of its impacts, what we've really got to address are the kids."
While, the bill doesn’t allow the FDA to ban cigarettes or nicotine altogether, is gives the FDA authority to monitor smoking products and ban flavored cigarettes, but not menthol-flavored cigarette.
Cigarettes would carry stronger warning labels, with controls imposed on their advertising too. Manufacturers could now promote tobacco products only through plain, black and white "tombstone" ads. Also, they cannot use the terms "low tar" and "mild".
While tobacco manufacturers opposed the idea of FDA regulation saying that bigger companies will have advantage over its smaller competitors, Philip Morris, a unit of Altria Group Inc the nation's largest cigarette maker supported the bill.
Also expressing optimism that the bill will pass in the Senate this year, Matthew L. Myers, president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids stated, "the very large vote in the House gives both momentum to the bill and incentive to the Senate to act."
Public health groups like American Lung Association and the American Heart Association also supported the measure.
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