6-22-09: "Obama Signs Landmark Anti-Smoking Bill" (FOXNews.com)

[ImmaSlave4U]

The law allows the FDA to reduce nicotine in tobacco products, ban candy flavorings and block 'low tar,' 'light' labels.


President Obama on Monday signed a landmark anti-smoking bill which he said will reduce the number of children who take up smoking and ultimately save American lives.

The bill would give the federal government unprecedented authority to regulate tobacco. The law allows the regulatory Food and Drug Administration to reduce nicotine in tobacco products, ban candy flavorings and block labels such "low tar" and "light." Tobacco companies also will be required to cover their cartons with large graphic warnings.

"Today ... the decades-long effort to protect our children from the harmful effects of tobacco has emerged victorious. Today change has come to Washington," Obama said.

The law, called the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, won't let the FDA ban nicotine or tobacco outright, but the agency will be able to regulate the contents of tobacco products, make public their ingredients and prohibit marketing campaigns, especially those geared toward children.

"It is a law that will save American lives and make Americans healthy," Obama said, calling it a "victory for bipartisanship" as well as a victory for health care reform.

The president said the legislation should reduce some of the billions the nation spends on treating tobacco-related illnesses, "the leading cause of preventable death in the United States."

Anti-smoking advocates looked forward to the bill after years of attempts to tame an industry so fundamental to the U.S. that carved tobacco leaves adorn some parts of the Capitol.

Opponents from tobacco-growing states argued that the FDA has proven through a series of food safety failures that it's not up to the job. They also said that instead of unrealistically trying to get smokers to quit or to prevent others from starting, lawmakers should ensure that people have other options, like smokeless tobacco.

As president, George W. Bush opposed the legislation and threatened a veto after it passed the House last year. The Obama administration, by contrast, had issued a statement declaring strong support for the measure.

Obama talked about his own struggles breaking a cigarette habit Monday, noting that he picked up smoking at an early age.

"I know how difficult it can be to break this habit," Obama said.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/06/22/obama-sign-anti-smoking-monday/

[Laura Cereta]

Obama talked about his own struggles breaking a cigarette habit Monday, noting that he picked up smoking at an early age.


Does he still smoke?

[Spang]

Merge. (http://www.hillaryclintonforum.net/discussion/showthread.php?t=46619)

[TheTaoOfBill]

This Bill is a bit excessive. I don't like the idea of the government controling the amount of nicotine in a cigarette.

[ImmaSlave4U]

This Bill is a bit excessive. I don't like the idea of the government controling the amount of nicotine in a cigarette.

Why not? We regulate the amounts of other legal drugs.

[VotingHillary]

This Bill is a bit excessive. I don't like the idea of the government controling the amount of nicotine in a cigarette.

Me neither because they will lower it so that folks will smoke more to pay more taxes. Big Brother at work....pfffffffffffffffffft. :p

Why don't they legislate the max on alcohol content? Oh, that's right....most of them drink.

[Suzan]

Does he still smoke?
Yup. He should lead by example and quit smoking.

[VotingHillary]

Yup. He should lead by example and quit smoking.

Our government...do as we say, not as we do.

[Spang]

If Obama didn't smoke, would this anti-smoking bill be kosher?

[Suzan]

Obviously his smoking didn't have any impact on the bill's passage, but quitting would give him more credibility when he talks about Americans being healthy. I haven't figured out how I feel about the bill. Actually, taxing cigarettes even more heavily is probably the most effective way to get people to quit. Why didn't they just do that?

[ImmaSlave4U]

Actually, taxing cigarettes even more heavily is probably the most effective way to get people to quit. Why didn't they just do that?

The biggest U.S. tax hike on tobacco took effect in March. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/03/29/single-largest-cigarette-tax-hike-goes-effect-wednesday/

And here is the state excise tax rundown:

http://www.ncsl.org/Portals/1/ImageLibrary/WebImages/Health/CigaretteET08Map.gif
http://www.ncsl.org/Portals/1/ImageLibrary/WebImages/Health/CigaretteET08Legend.gif

[Spang]

Actually, taxing cigarettes even more heavily is probably the most effective way to get people to quit. Why didn't they just do that?

The cost of an addiction is meaningless. Personally, I didn't quit smoking two Novembers ago because it was expensive. I quit, because smoking is stupid.

[TheTaoOfBill]

High cigarette taxes have an overwhelming burden on the poor and middle class. And I don't see the wisdom behind attempting to drown one of our largest and oldest industries. One that without, America itself would not exist.

[RE:]

Does he still smoke?Well, yes, if you call chewing Nicorette gum (for the last 2 years) another form of ingesting nicotine.
http://news.aol.com/article/does-president-obama-still-smoke/538042
Press Secretary Robert Gibbs attempted to deflect the questions at White House briefings by noting that being addicted to cigarettes is "a life-long struggle" for anyone.
Not to be denied, one journalist tried a different angle. Forget about the cigarettes. Obama often mentioned during the campaign that Nicorette gum helped him fight his craving for a smoke.
So is Obama still using Nicorette?
"I saw him chewing gum earlier today," Gibbs revealed at the June 12 briefing.
But was it nicotine gum?
"I assume so, yes," Gibbs answered -- while, once again, leaving the larger question unanswered.


From the Nicorette company's website: http://www.nicorette.com/Faqs.aspx#16

16. How long is Nicorette used?
The recommended course of therapy is 12 weeks. You should use Nicorette for the full 12 weeks to improve your chances of success. You should chew one piece every 1-2 hours for weeks 1-6. During weeks 7-9, you should chew one piece every 2-4 hours. During weeks 10-12, you should chew one piece every 4-8 hours. Do not chew more than 24 pieces per day. Do not chew Nicorette longer than 12 weeks.

[Laura Cereta]

The biggest U.S. tax hike on tobacco took effect in March. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/03/29/single-largest-cigarette-tax-hike-goes-effect-wednesday/

And here is the state excise tax rundown:

http://www.ncsl.org/Portals/1/ImageLibrary/WebImages/Health/CigaretteET08Map.gif
http://www.ncsl.org/Portals/1/ImageLibrary/WebImages/Health/CigaretteET08Legend.gif

FL just moved out of the white category and landed half way up.

[devildog]

Why not? We regulate the amounts of other legal drugs.

So that makes it ok? Lets start regulating twinkies, soda, candy bars, popsicles, pretzels, etc. since we're obvioiusly stupid people who needs big nanny government telling us what to do.

I see mandatory PT (physical training) coming soon.

[TheTaoOfBill]

So that makes it ok? Lets start regulating twinkies, soda, candy bars, popsicles, pretzels, etc. since we're obvioiusly stupid people who needs big nanny government telling us what to do.

I see mandatory PT (physical training) coming soon.

"The government can't make you a better person, it can't make you follow good habits. Why don't they put you on a diet, you're a little overweight..."
-Ron Paul to a fat critic of Ron Paul's anti war on drug ideology. That's my favorite quote from ANY politician.

[devildog]

"The government can't make you a better person, it can't make you follow good habits. Why don't they put you on a diet, you're a little overweight..."
-Ron Paul to a fat critic of Ron Paul's anti war on drug ideology. That's my favorite quote from ANY politician.


I laugh every time I read it, it's so true.

[Suzan]

I guess the question is whether or not the amount of smoking has dropped in the highly taxed states since the taxes were implemented.

(A side note: Obama just admitted in his presser that he's still smoking. 95% cured, he said, but he still falls off the wagon.)

Originally Posted by devildog247
So that makes it ok? Lets start regulating twinkies, soda, candy bars, popsicles, pretzels, etc. since we're obvioiusly stupid people who needs big nanny government telling us what to do.

I see mandatory PT (physical training) coming soon.

Originally posted by Tao
"The government can't make you a better person, it can't make you follow good habits. Why don't they put you on a diet, you're a little overweight..."
-Ron Paul to a fat critic of Ron Paul's anti war on drug ideology. That's my favorite quote from ANY politician.

Two great posts!

[RE:]

Being 95% cured is like being 95% pregnant. You either are an alcoholic or addict or you are not. Period. I can speak about this because I quit smoking 4/20/08 and NEVER used the gum or picked up another ciggy.

[hillary4change]

Listening to a smoker talk about health and legislate health issues, would be akin to a fat Surgeon General talking about healthy body weight and how to achieve it.
I can't take him seriously. I was a die hard smoker and quit cold turkey no crutch 12/31/05. The key is WANTING to be successful, not wishing. It takes commitment.

[Spang]

Listening to a smoker talk about health and legislate health issues, would be akin to a fat Surgeon General talking about healthy body weight and how to achieve it.
I can't take him seriously. I was a die hard smoker and quit cold turkey no crutch 12/31/05. The key is WANTING to be successful, not wishing. It takes commitment.

Obama being a smoker doesn't change the fact that smoking is unhealthy and stupid.

[Brooke]

Personally, I don't smoke, most of my family doesn't and most of my friends don't. I didn't even know what the tax was on cigs here in PA until I looked at the chart above (thanks for posting it). So it doesn't really affect me. If it keeps more people from smoking and exposing me to second hand smoke, I'm all for it.

[jlynne]

I grew up in a tobacco town and worked in the tobacco fields until I moved away from home. It was how my family made ends meet -- it was how all the neighborhood families made ends meet. We weren't anywhere close to rich or even middle class but there were years we managed to eek over the poverty line. Then came the tobacco litigation and the government regulations. And with it came the end of the American tobacco farm. The fields are empty--you can't grow much in nutrient poor red clay soil, the farm houses are in disrepair--you don't put much money in your house when the choice is between paint and food, the warehouses are being vandalized or burnt--they're useless now and a reminder of a better past.

And unemployment now stands at 14.3% with a predicted -7.10% growth rate.

So forgive me if I don't think much of the anti-smoking movement, even if I never smoked a cigarette in my life, and lost the people most precious to me to cigarette-related illnesses.

Smoking has always been and should remain a personal choice. And I will throw a bone out there to Tao -- that goes for anything you want to smoke not just tobacco products.

[TheTaoOfBill]

Yeah. Sometimes I think the anti smoking legislation can be worse than the cancer they are trying to prevent.

[Laura Cereta]

Let's not forget that tobacco was a major colonial crop for the South and helped fund the Revolutionary War. Without tobacco there may never have been a United States of America.

[Spang]

Let's not forget that tobacco was a major colonial crop for the South and helped fund the Revolutionary War. Without tobacco there may never have been a United States of America.

Well, we're a lot smarter now.

[Laura Cereta]

Well, we're a lot smarter now.

Tobacco is still a major financial resource for the South. I'll say it again-- smoking is a legal, adult activity and a personal choice. I think everyone is now fully aware of the health risks. There has been numerous pieces of legislation enacted on a federal, state, and local level to protect others from second-hand smoke. I have no problem with taking additional steps to discourage minors from smoking. However, the "sin taxes" are getting ridiculous and having the FDA regulate nicotine levels will hurt the industry. In a recession, how many private businesses do we want to actively hurt?

[The_Basseteer]

Why doesn't Obama just appoint a Tobacco Czar and take over the cigarette companies?

[Spang]

Why doesn't Obama ... take over the cigarette companies?

Probably because they're successful.

[The_Basseteer]

Probably because they're successful.
yes but think of all the money the govt. could make

[Spang]

yes but think of all the money the govt. could make

Apparently this administration isn't in it for the money.

[hobbitt]

In a recession, how many private businesses do we want to actively hurt?


All of them.

Next step: the FDA will regulate the alcohol content of beer and wine. And tax same accordingly.

And then regulate the fat content of beef, pork, lamb. And require farmers to starve the assorted critters until they are sufficiently fat-free to be considered safe.

And then the FDA can turn their attention to the real target: wheat!

Yes, indeed. Wheat. Tax the high-wheat content of cereal, bread, pasta, even beer. A veritable cash bonanza! And all that land wasted growing wheat. Land which could be used for the Good: more and bigger prisons, more housing projects; more "This Bridge to NoWhere paid for by the 2009 Stimulus Bill" signs, more acres of corn to produce the ubiquitous corn syrup; more junkyards, er final resting places for those American-made cars which will no longer have repair facilities or replacement parts; more land for
Obama Youth Training Camps, more land available for impressive statuary and Corinthian columns.

[LadyLazarus]

Not sure what to think about a professed “recovering” smoker — or just smoker since every smoker I know is always in the process of quitting just like every overweight person I know is always on a diet— spearheading anti-tobacco legislation. (And I mean no disrespect to anyone struggling to quit smoking or who is overweight. We’ve all been there or done that at some time). On the one hand it doesn’t work to Obama’s advantage because it makes him look weak and undermines his credibility as a strong leader, i.e., compels a person to start asking what other weaknesses he has that he’s hiding or other addictions he’s not talking about. On the other hand, he’s the perfect person to spearhead the legislation as he understands so fundamentally why legislation like this is needed, i.e., he has a personal connection to the issue. He is himself a victim of the tobacco industry’s predatory marketing. So it makes a person start asking, “Wow, if it could ensnare and enslave someone as wise, erudite, and prophetic as Obama, who then is safe from the big, bad tobacco monster?”

But ultimately, if I had to weigh in, it reminds me of the hypocrisy often invoked by a “do as I say, not as I do” doctrine.

[Jobu86]

I'll say it again-- smoking is a legal, adult activity and a personal choice. I think everyone is now fully aware of the health risks.

I'm fully aware of the risks, and have never smoked in my life, but have still been forced to breathe in a ridiculous amount of second hand smoke in my life in casinos, bars, etc. I hate cigarettes with a passion. If you want to smoke in your own home, go for it, but stop blowing it in my face. This really doesn't have much to do with the topic but I had to rant. I hate cigarrettes. Cigarette smoking isn't just a personal choice that doesn't affect others with how terrible second hand smoke is. It's not really comparable with other legal, personal, adult activities. it's been proven to harm those who don't smoke.

[Laura Cereta]

I'm fully aware of the risks, and have never smoked in my life, but have still been forced to breathe in a ridiculous amount of second hand smoke in my life in casinos, bars, etc. I hate cigarettes with a passion. If you want to smoke in your own home, go for it, but stop blowing it in my face. This really doesn't have much to do with the topic but I had to rant. I hate cigarrettes. Cigarette smoking isn't just a personal choice that doesn't affect others with how terrible second hand smoke is. It's not really comparable with other legal, personal, adult activities. it's been proven to harm those who don't smoke.

Have no fear. States are doing away with indoor smoking with a vengeance. Is there anywhere in CA a person can still smoke besides their home? NC of all places just became a total non-smoking state. FL has a Clean Indoor Air Act that prohibits smoking in all restaurants and even bars whose percentage of food profit is more then 10% of the total net profit annually. Smoking is banned in ALL federal buildings, including federal prisons. Those are just some of the examples I can think of right off the top of my head. Does anyone else have others? I'm sure these types of legislative acts will continue, not be reversed or repealed.

[karate kid x]

Obviously his smoking didn't have any impact on the bill's passage, but quitting would give him more credibility when he talks about Americans being healthy.

Why so? the bill doesn't have very much to do with consumers, it's the producers that the bill regulates (at least that's what i gathered from the news quite)

[Laura Cereta]

Why so? the bill doesn't have very much to do with consumers, it's the producers that the bill regulates (at least that's what i gathered from the news quite)

Yes, and that's a problem. They've already taken steps to try to regulate consumers through higher taxes. So be it. Regulating producers, though, hurts a private industry that provides literally millions of jobs. Where is the common sense in that? Teen smoking? Healthcare? I don't buy it. This administration seems to be taking every opportunity possible to cripple the private sector. It's very disturbing.