Senate passes bill to toughen tobacco laws

WASHINGTON, June 11 (UPI) -- The U.S. Senate voted 79-17 Thursday to pass a bill that would toughen tobacco laws, including authorizing the Food and Drug Administration to regulate tobacco.

Among other things, the Family Smoking and Tobacco Control Act would give the federal government the power to regulate cigarette ingredients, ban the marketing of "light cigarettes" and require graphic warning labels, The Washington Post reported.

The bill also would require tobacco companies to disclose detailed information about their product's ingredients and would allow the FDA to require changes to protect public health.

The measure will be returned to the House for final passage.

President Barack Obama, who has struggled to kick the cigarette habit, said he would sign the bill.

Obama praised the Senate's action, saying once legislation is returned to the House for final passage, "it will make history by giving the scientists and medical experts at the FDA the power to take sensible steps that will reduce tobacco's harmful effects and prevent tobacco companies from marketing their products to children."