It has been nearly a 50 years since a report was released by the surgeon general, linking smoking to lung cancer. Since then a few changes have taken place, but tobacco companies have still been able to regulate cigarettes and smoking products, though this is about to see some change.
Legislation is being debated by the Senate, which would give the Food and Drug Administration the right to regulate the ingredients used in cigarettes. In addition, words such as "light" and "low tar" as well as ads aimed at young people will be banned.
Matthew Myers, president of Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, says the legislation would be "by far the strongest bill to reduce tobacco use that this nation has ever seriously considered."
Anti-smoking organizations are seeing this as a huge step toward having decisive action on the tobacco issue. Though the road ahead is still long, the law is moving in the right direction.
Smokers may even benefit from this type of legislation as cigarettes today are not what they used to be, there are a lot of excess ingredients — plain tobacco probably wouldn't have the effects that are now associated with smoking.
[Via: charlotteobserver.com]
