It’s been three years since the Food and Drug Administration was given extensive power to regulate the tobacco industry, and a new report discusses the many regulations that have been put in place since that time, as well as what we can expect in the future.
The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act put the power to regulate smokeless tobacco items and regular cigarettes in the hands of the FDA. Since then, numerous laws have been put in place. For one thing, flavored cigarettes have been banned because they were thought to draw kids into the smoking habit. Various claims being made in advertising were halted, and self-service kiosks have been removed from most retail outlets.
But that’s the past. In the future, consumers can expect some new directives that aim to promote safety from the dangers of tobacco. Health warnings that display the graphic consequences of tobacco use are set to take effect on September 22 of this year. And additional proposals are pending. Consumers may soon be able to report violations of tobacco laws directly to the FDA through their smart phones or other devices. The FDA is also currently debating whether to exercise the option to regulate cigars and other products.
The dangers that consumers face from tobacco are still apparent, but as we can see here, the FDA is doing what it can to curtail the risks that arise from these products.