United States President Barack Obama has signed a new bill that will regulate tobacco.
The document gives the United States Government the power to manage marketing, production, and advertising of tobacco products. The new powers also include jurisdiction over the cigarette industry.
Smoking is responsible for over 400,000 deaths every year in the United States of America alone. Furthermore, studies show that upon completion of high school education, one in every five children is already smoking. However, with the signing of the bill, President Obama hopes to make these statistics a thing of the past.
Obama, a long time smoker, did not stray away from admitting his own indulgences in the habit. In addition, he also mentioned how he was part of the “one in every five” statistic as the one who was a teenage smoker.
With this experience, Obama is very aware of the difficulties in dropping the addiction. Obama said, “I know how difficult it can be to break this habit when it’s been with you for a long time”.
The main points of the new law adhere to placing harsher warnings onto cigarette packs. Also, another measure taking place may be an overhaul on how cigarettes and cigars are made.
The adding of flavors to tobacco will also be forbidden, as they are part of what makes it so easy to be hooked.
Menthol will also be explored by the FDA in order to determine whether or not the ingredient should be banned as well.
All of the ingredients of all tobacco products are also going to be disclosed to the public by the companies providing them.
The government will have the power to alter the nicotine and flavoring amounts in the products, but will not be provided the power to ban nicotine fully.
Obama is proud that finally the progressions towards protecting the citizens of the United States from being overexposed to tobacco and persuaded to use it.
Is this the beginning of the downfall of the tobacco industry? Is it just adding more responsibility to the companies? The pressures to consume tobacco will be decreased, but the right to use it will not be taken away from those that choose to continue the habit.
