Obama signs tobacco bill into law (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

US President Barack Obama has signed into law America's strongest anti-smoking measure ever, saying it will save lives.

The US Food and Drug Administration now has new powers to regulate the content and marketing of tobacco products.

Hailed as a milestone in the history of tobacco regulation, the bill was passed by Congress earlier this month.

About one in five Americans smoke and some 440,000 die each year of smoking-related illnesses.

Mr Obama said in the White House Rose Garden: "When I ran for president, I did so because I believed that... it was possible for us to bring change to Washington."
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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8113810.stm

[thereismore]

1. How long before it is before the SCOTUS. nt

[DJ13]

2. "I did so because I believed that... it was possible for us to bring change to Washington."

On the list of things we most wanted to "change" this ranks way down there.

Were still waiting for you to actually "change" (for OUR benefit.....NOT to benefit the corporations) some of the top issues voters are concerned about.

[parasim]

4. So the tobacco companies are cheering this?

How is this bill not for the benefit of consumers?

I mean, sure, maybe not the topmost issue, but still, is this not a pretty good thing that he's calling for more regulations on the tobacco industry?

for the record, i'm a smoker and I think this is a good change.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

5. Tobacco companies are pissed.

So are the Obama haters, apparently.

[DJ13]

6. I only said this ranks rather low on the changes we voted him in to do

We didnt vote for Obama to end cigarette usage, we voted for him to end wars, or improve our heath care system.

One thing I can tell you is that politicians from either party find attacking tobacco to be an easy way to get headlines, and with all the truly important things that need doing Im rather disappointed he isnt working on those issues instead.

[parasim]

7. I think he has the capability to do more than one thing at a time.

and some of things come easier than others. Signing a bill like this smoking thing I imagine takes less time than overhauling a completely effed up, decades-long healthcare system. or overturning the disastrous Bush policies.

I say get the easy ones out of the way when possible while working on the more difficult ones. Which is exactly what I think he is doing. Not as fast or in the exact way that I'd like, but, for the most part, it's moving in the direction that I voted for.


edit: changed more to less... duh!

[Blue-Jay]

3. .