Is government regulation of Big Tobacco a good thing?
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In a historic move, the Senate passed legislation yesterday that would allow the Food and Drug Administration to regulate certain aspects of the tobacco industry. All the bill needs to become a law is the signature of the president. While Obama has made good on some of his promises to regulate big business, I’m not convinced that this bill is the correct way to handle Big Tobacco.
Banks and insurance companies are entities that need to be regulated. There are dire consequences, as we’ve seen, to unsupervised spending and lending to those who are unqualified. Likewise, tobacco is a worldwide business. Its effects are far-reaching, but also impact many local economies. This issue, however, isn’t what I see as the major drawback to the government’s involvement.
As we’ve seen with the recent recalls of peanut and Chinese toys contaminated with lead, the FDA has a huge job. Every day, the agency receives more applications for approval of new products. Will the FDA be able to effectively manage and supervise the dealings of Phillip Morris and RJ Reynolds? I don’t think so.
The bill gives the FDA the right to nix advertisements if they seem to be appealing to children. The agency will also monitor the various substances and chemicals going into the product. This all sounds fine and dandy, but take a step back. The tobacco companies have been expecting such a move for some time now. (If the French managed to outlaw smoking, it was only a matter of time for us.) RJ Reynolds has been working on “safer” cigarettes and smokeless nicotine options for the past year in anticipation of this type of law.
Even the number one tobacco-producing state has smoking restrictions. North Carolina just passed a law outlawing smoking in bars and restaurants. Times are changing, and Big Tobacco is ready for the change, but I don’t think our government is well enough equipped to monitor their actions. What’s going to happen during the next time someone decides to sue a tobacco company? Will the government be held responsible?
Is the government held responsible if someone sues a drug company?
No.
Same song, second verse.
FDA will organize an internal office to police this product, that's part of the bill. It will be funded by user fees paid by the industry, so your tax money won't be spent regulating this poisonous product.
Will it take time? Of course it will. Such things take time to organize. FDA was organized in 1906, after the first Food & Drug Act was passed, and it took decades to get it going properly.
Don't expect miracles in just a year or two. But make no bones about it, FDA WILL regulate this product, and we will do so vigorously.
Well, we can legalize marijuana. All the coolest names have already been copyrighted by the big tobacco companies. That will give them a great new product just when they need it most.
Agreed. Don't think the government should be spending its much needed resources on trying to regulate drugs if there are so many other problems out there.
I think the editorial wasn't so much arguing that the government shouldn't regulate tobacco products as calling its ability to do so into question. Why that ability is being questioned is a little unclear to me. Yes, there will be slip-ups, as there have been with other products that the FDA deals with. Is that a good reason to throw our hands in the air and give up?
I actually think that the question of whether this regulation is the right thing to do is much more fruitful.
It's all about making the best of your health. Here is a web site that help, for smokers.www.simplystopsmoking.net
That is a small problem for Obama compared to what he is really handling but cigarettes is the hottest drug on the streets here in Chicago people will pay $1 for 1 cigarette thats hot!!
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No.
Same song, second verse.
FDA will organize an internal office to police this product, that's part of the bill. It will be funded by user fees paid by the industry, so your tax money won't be spent regulating this poisonous product.
Will it take time? Of course it will. Such things take time to organize. FDA was organized in 1906, after the first Food & Drug Act was passed, and it took decades to get it going properly.
Don't expect miracles in just a year or two. But make no bones about it, FDA WILL regulate this product, and we will do so vigorously.