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Editorial: Washington finally takes aim at Big Tobacco
Monday, June 15, 2009

Last week’s overwhelming passage of a bill empowering the Food and Drug Administration to regulate tobacco products is a big deal and, frankly, long overdue. It’s not only going to result in fewer Americans starting to smoke, but fewer health problems for those who won’t or can’t quit.
The bill, which President Obama has endorsed, will discourage smoking in many ways. For one, it will require larger and more graphic warning labels on cigarette packs. For another, it will further restrict advertising and promotion of tobacco products: Colorful ads and store displays will be replaced by black-and-white-only text, and use of terms like “light” and “low-tar” will be forbidden.
It will also prohibit the use of flavorings like clove, which youthful smokers are attracted to. Unfortunately, though, it won’t ban menthol, which is popular among African Americans, until there is further study..............>>>>................>>>>................http://www.dailygazette.com/news/2009/jun/15/615_printts/