Senate poised to pass tobacco regulations

WASHINGTON, June 8 (UPI) -- Last-ditch efforts by U.S. tobacco interests are unlikely to derail sweeping changes in laws governing how cigarettes are made and marketed, analysts say.

The U.S. Senate is set this week to approve new laws that for the first time will permit the Food and Drug Administration to regulate tobacco products despite strong lobbying efforts against the moves and doubts from some experts they will actually help smokers give up their habits, McClatchy Newspapers reported Monday.

Supporters such as Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., say the measure will bring a new day for worried parents and those hooked on nicotine.

"It's time for the tobacco industry to come up with a new business model -- and this bill will force them to," Dodd said.

"I think there's going to be a public perception that there's now a safer product. And it's not going to be a safer product," Michael Siegel of the Boston University School of Public Health told McClatchy.

A key Senate vote to cut off debate on the tobacco measure was set for Monday night, with analysts saying if it prevails, passage is all but certain, the news service said.