FDA takes its time on tobacco regulation

[voltaire]

Some real gems in this article:
The Associated Press: FDA takes its time on tobacco regulation

While the law doesn't let the FDA ban nicotine or tobacco outright, the agency could lower nicotine to non-addictive levels. And that's exactly what former FDA Commissioner David Kessler, who championed the anti-tobacco public health movement, wants to see happen.
"The tobacco industry knew 40 years ago that there was a threshold below which people would quit," Kessler said in an interview with The Associated Press. "Reducing the level of nicotine in cigarettes will change cigarette smoking as we know it. It is the ultimate harm reduction strategy."

The ultimate harm reduction strategy? Wow. Isn't it a generally accepted truth that smokers of light cigarettes will smoke more or find other ways to get their desired nicotine dose? This genius tactic will probably having them tear their filters off.

The law lays out the possibility for both, prescribing a scientific approach to improve public health, said Dr. Lawrence Deyton, director of the FDA's Center for Tobacco Products.
"There's multiple strategies the FDA will be considering," Deyton said in an interview with The Associated Press. "We certainly have not made any determination on one side or another."
Deyton did not say whether Kessler's suggestion would become a reality, but said the law does allow the FDA to set nicotine levels.
No matter the approach, Deyton said he wants Americans to trust what the agency's work on tobacco.
"We now get the opportunity to speak the truth about tobacco products and do so in a reasonable way," Deyton said. "We will not do it as zealots, we will not do it as aggressive government. We will do it in a methodical, reasonable way."

Yeah, "just trust us" - what a laugh!

 

[Vocalek]

To speak the truth about tobacco products? Well, I guess you could say he is half-right. FDA appears to do an excellent job of speaking half-truths.

 

[D103]

I agree Elaine. I also found an interesting short article (which I am unable to set up a link to) at Turbo Tax, click on Turbo Tax Blog, and the article is: "How Much is the Government Making Off of Tobacco." (written June 22, 2010) it provides staggering numbers to what all of us already know in the abstract. The Federal excise on cigarettes grossed $8,512,263,000 in tax revenue in 2009. This is just a part of what we're up against. It's an interesting article