U.S. bill gives FDA tobacco regulation

WASHINGTON, July 31 (UPI) -- The U.S. House of Representatives has approved landmark legislation empowering the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to regulate tobacco for the first time.

The measure, which passed on a 326-to-102 vote after a 40-minute, sometimes passionate debate, goes to the U.S. Senate, which may take it up this fall. U.S. President George Bush has promised a veto, the White House said.

The proposal would give the FDA broad authority over cigarette makers, including the power to ban marketing of cigarettes to children, The Washington Post reported. It would require disclosure of tobacco ingredients and larger, more specific health warnings, the post said.

It was a measure long sought by anti-smoking advocates.

U.S. Rep. Henry A. Waxman, D-Calif., who co-sponsored the measure with Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va., called its passage "Truly a historic day in the fight against tobacco."

While the measure is supported by Philip Morris USA, the nation's biggest cigarette maker, it is opposed by the rest of the tobacco industry, the Post said.

Administration officials argue that tobacco regulation would be too much of a burden for the already stretched FDA.