House Panel Approves FDA Tobacco Oversight

[redrose]

If the government regulates it, they will gradually stop making tobacco products. The small amount of smokers left would have to pay $20 a pack to cover the cost of compliance. But they won't burn the tobacco fields. They will make liquid nicotine.
However, The big problem with this bill getting passed will be the threat of cessation. Cigarette sales account for a huge tax revenue to many states. In Ct, a pack of cigarettes is $7. In NYC, it's probably $8 or $9 a pack. In Florida, I paid $2 and change for the same pack of Kools that were $7 here. That's $5 a pack in taxes. Don't count on your Senators passing this bill, unless they are going to tax liquid nicotine the way the tax tobacco.

[TropicalBob]

Let's try some crystal ball gazing:

This bill has been before Congress before, but always faced a Presidential veto. That's not the case this time. So .. we have increasing support and nothing in the way of it becoming law.

In the House, it's Henry Waxman who pushed things. He's the Oil Can Harry of the old Perils of Pauline movies. A tobacco hater of the first rank. He sponsored the bill, chaired the subcomittee that approved it and muscled it through to a final overwhelming approval vote.

Now comes the Senate.

In that august chamber. it's venerable Sir Edward Kennedy who is the sponsor. Oh my. Ted will return to introduce the bill, helped to the podium where he will receive a standing ovation. He will, indirectly, plead for its passage as a final tribute to his efforts to keep tobacco from a new generation and improve the health of America. The Senate will be moved, some to tears.

Then the bill will stall. Republicans will tack on numerous amendments that would strip the impact. It will appear headed for months of debate. Then, Kennedy will die of brain cancer. America will mourn and full pages of tribute will be featured in newspapers. Note will be made of his final efforts to help America through this "Family" bill.

A senator will rise and say that to honor the beloved memory of Sen. Kennedy, this important bill must be approved. President Obama will agree in a radio address.

The bill will pass. Tobacco control will pass to the FDA.

Just crystal-balling. Just a guess, but ...

[SpaceCadet]

Scarily, Bob, I can realistically see all that happening. You may be the official ECF medium!

[strell]

Edit: It is also great that you and hopefully other suppliers are so passionate about this issue, it does make me believe that at least we won't go down without a fight.

This is going to sound way worse than I mean it, but everyone is passionate about money. This is by no means an insult to the suppliers (especially the more vocal/idealistic ones), but what more could a capitalist ask for than a customer base of addicts? It's the same underlying motivation that has kept the tobacco industry going strong. I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing, but when money is at stake almost anyone will put up a good fight.

Just crystal-balling. Just a guess, but ...

That doesn't seem like an unrealistic guess.

[Jak]

On a similar note: "....the passed recovery package includes $10 billion to conduct biomedical research in areas such as cancer, Alzheimer's, and heart disease, as their work will save and improve the lives of millions of Americans."

Maybe some of that will go to test and approve e-cigs. Probably will go to some big pharm company. Oh well, I can always say I was there when...

MuleBurro By Johnson & Johnson "Ask your doctor, cowboy"

[brandeeashlynn]

qw should get mike huckabee on the ban wagon with us. he is all about freedom

[The Wiz]

qw should get mike huckabee on the ban wagon with us. he is all about freedom

As I've stated before.........Let's call Rush...He'll straighten this whole mess out...or somthing like that...I guess! The Wiz!

[redvengeance]

If you do a search on the FDA site, you will find that they had their fingers in tobacco some years ago...and the Supreme Court knocked it back out of their hands. I feel sorry for all the people at the ATF...they wont have jobs at all pretty soon. If tobacco goes, liquor is next. Guns are already teetering on the edge. Then what will our legislators have left to ban? (I am sure they will scrounge up something....)

[DisMan]

I love how "smoking is America's biggest health problem"...it's not the factory pollution, car pollution, stripping of the forests, polluted water, or anything else...it's smoking. That's he bad guy.

Smoke and mirrors....smoke and mirrors.

[Vicks Vap-oh-Yeah]

guess no nic carts and nicorette gum maybe - lol

My thoughts exactly - don't want to go back to analogs, EVER


And TB - where'd you get the crystal ball - mine's been broken for years