Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act
Passage of the law was supported by the American Cancer Society, whose CEO noted in a press release that "[t]his bill forces Big Tobacco to disclose the poisons in its products and has the power to finally break the dangerous chain of addiction for generations to come."[1] The ACS press release also noted that the legislation would "require cigarette companies to disclose all ingredients used in cigarettes and to stop using words like 'light' and 'ultra-light' to give the impression that some tobacco products have a lower health risk."[1] The legislation also garnered support from the American Heart Association, whose CEO noted that the bill "provides a tremendous opportunity to finally hold tobacco companies accountable and restrict efforts to addict more children and adults." [2]
The law was criticized by some as ineffectual, with community health sciences professor Michael Siegel stating that it "creates the appearance of regulation without allowing actual regulation." Critics argue that without the authority to eliminate nicotine completely, the reduction of nicotine levels in cigarettes may result in compensation by existing smokers, increasing their cigarette smoke inhalation to consume a level of nicotine which will satisfy their cravings. In addition, marketing restrictions enacted by the bill make it more difficult to promote safer smokeless alternatives to cigarettes. The restrictions have been disputed on the grounds of free speech, with various claims that the legislation violates the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.[3][4]
The bill bans flavored cigarettes, including cloves, cinnamon, candy, and fruit flavors, with a special exception for menthol cigarettes. Because the exception helps the largest maker of menthols, Phillip Morris, and eliminates potential competition, the bill has been nicknamed the Marlboro Monopoly act of 2009.[5] Philip Morris strongly supports FDA regulation.[6][7] The exemption was reportedly influenced by the Congressional Black Caucus.[3][4] The Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee provisioned under the bill is to submit a recommendation on menthol cigarettes to the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services no later than one year after its establishment.
The law was criticized by some as ineffectual, with community health sciences professor Michael Siegel stating that it "creates the appearance of regulation without allowing actual regulation." Critics argue that without the authority to eliminate nicotine completely, the reduction of nicotine levels in cigarettes may result in compensation by existing smokers, increasing their cigarette smoke inhalation to consume a level of nicotine which will satisfy their cravings. In addition, marketing restrictions enacted by the bill make it more difficult to promote safer smokeless alternatives to cigarettes. The restrictions have been disputed on the grounds of free speech, with various claims that the legislation violates the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.[3][4]
The bill bans flavored cigarettes, including cloves, cinnamon, candy, and fruit flavors, with a special exception for menthol cigarettes. Because the exception helps the largest maker of menthols, Phillip Morris, and eliminates potential competition, the bill has been nicknamed the Marlboro Monopoly act of 2009.[5] Philip Morris strongly supports FDA regulation.[6][7] The exemption was reportedly influenced by the Congressional Black Caucus.[3][4] The Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee provisioned under the bill is to submit a recommendation on menthol cigarettes to the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services no later than one year after its establishment.
Okay... I'm having serious issues (being a smoker who only really smoked clove cigarettes) with this new bill. It's BULLSHIT. It was first made to the public as a way to protect young children from smoking by eliminating fruit and candy flavored cigarettes from the market. The odd thing is, which I put in bold, menthols are not part of this ban. They taste like mints, and I know for a fact (and from experience) that most children smoke these as their first cigarettes because they are the easiest to get their hands on without going to a specialty tobacco shop. What's even worse is that this bill was only placed to help a major tobacco company profit with no chances of competition.
I'm buying my cloves online from now on. At least that's still legal.
