Cigarette addicted Obama signs tough tobacco regulations into law
23 Jun 2009, 1212 Hrs

Add comment          Mail          Print          Write to Editor

Washington, June 23 While President Barack Obama continues to struggle with his addiction to cigarettes; he has signed the tobacco regulation measure into law for the cause of health care reform.

Calling it "a victory for bipartisanship" and "a victory for health care reform," President Obama signed the law this afternoon during a Rose Garden ceremony attended by anti-smoking groups and members of Congress.

Obama used the stage at the signing ceremony to argue that his administration's governing philosophy of getting things done without the influence of special interests is working.

"When I ran for president, I did so because I believed that, despite the power of the status quo and the influence of special interests, it was possible for us to bring change to Washington. And the progress we've made these past five months has only reinforced my faith in this belief," Obama said.

The president held up the tobacco bill, which has been stalled in Congress since 1994, as "a step that will save lives and dollars."

He pointed to it, as well as credit card reform, mortgage reform and defense procurement reform, as laws enacted against the wishes of powerful special interests, Politico reports.

"Today, change has come to Washington," Obama said. "Our journey for change is far from over, but with the package - passage of the kids tobacco legislation that I'm about to sign, we're taking another big and very important step, a step that will save lives and dollars."

The bill, called the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, gives the US Food and Drug Administration unprecedented powers to regulate tobacco.

Under the law, the FDA will be able to prohibit cigarette advertising, specifically those that target children, and ban flavored cigarettes and labels such as "low tar" and "light."

Obama went on to blast tobacco companies for aggressively targeting young people in "a constant and insidious barrage of advertising where they live, where they learn, and where they play."

Shortly after the bill signing, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs conceded that Obama's addiction to cigarettes is "something he continues to struggle with." (ANI)

Related Latest

Angry Rihanna launches into F-word rant after driver was 3mins late A show that will go into people's past lives Manmohan to seek Obama pressure over Pakistan INLD demands probe into legislators switching sides Barack Obama bags popular at trade fair Bradman inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame Taiwanese trust Obama more than their own president: Survey Probe ordered into Madhya Pradesh jailbreak Maharashtra Government orders inquiry into parading undertrials Micro-endoscope to spot early signs of cancer on the anvil

Related Latest

As far as Kashmir issue is concerned, India will not redraw borders: Singh Pakistan has not done enough on the Mumbai terror attacks: Manmohan Singh No apprehension about US viewing India differently: Manmohan Singh Winters leave Ladakh out of bound, make stocking of food material a must Eco-friendly vehicles rally held in Delhi People worship Highway Goddess for safe journey in Chennai Lucknow Zoo authorities treating tiger for cancer Hussey ready to cop criticism, but will let bat do the talking PAC supports idea of making Pak Army's financial records public Pak heading towards 'demographic disaster', warn experts

• Pakistan has not done enough on the Mumbai terror attacks: Manmohan Singh
• As far as Kashmir issue is concerned, India will not redraw borders: Singh
• No apprehension about US viewing India differently: Manmohan Singh
• Winters leave Ladakh out of bound, make stocking of food material a must
• Eco-friendly vehicles rally held in Delhi

• भारतीय क्रिकेट की मजबूत दीवार
• कंगारूओं के आगे ढेर, चीतों से कैसे मुकाबला करेंगें शेर
• Reducing greenhouse gases may not be enough to slow global warming
• बीकानेर महापौर चुनावः एक विश्लेषण
• Deepawali: The Festival Of Lights