WASHINGTON, June 9 (UPI) -- A bill that would toughen tobacco laws cleared a procedural hurdle in the U.S. Senate, clearing the way for its passage.
The Senate could pass a bipartisan bill as early as Tuesday that would require larger health warnings on cigarette packs, ban candy flavorings, ban the use of claims such as "light," "mild" and "low tar," and restrict tobacco product advertising further, USA Today reported.
The Senate voted to end debate on the measure Monday, a critical step toward its passage. Among other things, the Family Smoking and Tobacco Control Act would require tobacco companies to disclose detailed information about their products' ingredients and would allow the FDA to require changes to protect public health.
The House approved a similar bill in April that would give the U.S. Food and Drug Administration the authority to regulate tobacco.
President Barack Obama, who has struggled to kick the cigarette habit, said he would sign the bill.
