S. 579 would establish a comprehensive Federal tobacco product regulatory program, it would create a Tobacco Regulatory Agency, it would prevent use of tobacco products by youth, and it would provide protections for adult tobacco product users through the regulation of the tobacco products manufacturing industry.
Detailed Summary
Federal Tobacco Act of 2009 - Establishes the Tobacco Regulatory Agency within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), but not as part of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Sets forth criteria by which tobacco products are deemed adulterated or misbranded.
Establishes limits on tobacco product advertising, promotion, and marketing related to youth, including: (1) prohibiting the use of any cartoon; (2) restricting the use of any human image; (3) prohibiting sponsorship of certain athletic events; and (4) limiting the sale of small packages of cigarettes.
Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to reduce federal substance abuse grants for states that: (1) do not have in effect a statute setting forth specific provisions to prevent the sale of tobacco products to minors; or (2) spend less than the recommended amount of tobacco settlement agreement funds on tobacco control programs.
Prohibits the use of certain descriptors in the packaging and advertising of cigarettes.
Requires an approved application under this Act for any reduced-exposure or reduced-risk claim.
Directs the Administrator of the Agency to establish standards and procedures for ranking tobacco products and nicotine-containing products based on the relative risks of serious or chronic tobacco-related diseases and adverse health conditions.
Requires tobacco product manufacturers to publicly disclose a list of the ingredients in each of their tobacco products.
Establishes testing and reporting requirements for tobacco products to determine nicotine and tar yields.
Sets forth provisions governing disclosures on tobacco product packaging.
Directs the Administrator to assess an annual user fee on each tobacco product manufacturer.
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 3/12/2009: Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Points in Favor
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Points Against
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Visitor Comments
Citizen Jay
March 19, 2009, 5:25pm (report abuse)Leave tobacco alone for crying out loud - move on to POT!
Concerned Citizen
March 19, 2009, 7:06pm (report abuse)I think that tobacco should be made illegal. Why spend so much time and energy on this subject. Smokers don't seem to be able to quit, lets help them.
Sick of Cigs
March 19, 2009, 8:23pm (report abuse)I agree with Concerned citizen, lets just get it over with, stop torturing smokers, just make tobacco illegal. Legalize and tax pot!
RH
March 22, 2009, 10:26am (report abuse)I SMOK SO WHY SPEND SO MUCH TAX ON TI.