Tough tobacco bill clears Congress

WASHINGTON, June 12 (UPI) -- The U.S. House of Representatives Friday passed tougher tobacco product regulation, action President Barack Obama said was long overdue.

"This bill has obviously been a long time coming," Obama said after receiving word of the lopsided 307-97 vote. "We've known for years, even decades, about the harmful, addictive and often deadly effects of tobacco products."

Saying he looked forward to signing the bill, Obama praised Congress for its swift action "in an overwhelmingly bipartisan fashion to pass this legislation that will protect our kids and improve our public health."

The U.S. Senate approved the measure Thursday, 79-17.

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

"(This) kids tobacco bill would be the fourth piece of bipartisan legislation that I've signed into law over the last month that protects the American consumer, and changes the way Washington works and who Washington works for," Obama said.

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius also said she was pleased by Congress' quick, bipartisan action.

"The Food and Drug Administration regulation of tobacco products will be a critical piece of a coordinated effort to save lives, lower costs and reduce suffering from heart disease, cancer and other tobacco-related illness," she said. "This is a great step towards a healthier America."