Bill would give FDA authority over tobacco

WASHINGTON, April 2 (UPI) -- The U.S. House approved a bill Thursday that would give the Food and Drug Administration regulatory authority over advertising and sale of tobacco products.

The measure passed by a 298-112 vote, with eight Democrats joining a majority of Republicans in opposing the bill, CNN reported.

Among other things, the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act would give the FDA authority to require the posting of larger warning labels on tobacco products and would allow the agency to restrict the marketing of tobacco and ban candy-flavored cigarettes. It would also allow the FDA to regulate levels of nicotine and other ingredients.

"This legislation is a major victory for those of us who prize the health of this nation over the profits of tobacco companies," J. Randall Curtis, incoming president of the American Thoracic Society, said in a statement. "We applaud the House for passing the bill and hope that the Senate will move it through quickly so that President Obama can sign it into law as he has already indicated he would."

The bill now moves to the Senate.