Obama welcomes Congress approval of tobacco bill

Jun 12, 2009, 16:17 GMT

Washington - US President Barack Obama on Friday applauded Congress for passing legislation that imposes new restrictions on tobacco products and gives the federal government broad authority to regulate the industry.

'All of us are finally about to achieve a victory with this bill,' Obama said shortly after the bill passed the House of Representatives with a 307-97 vote. The legislation won overwhelming support in the Senate on Thursday.

Included in the legislation is a ban on the labelling of 'light' or 'ultra-light' cigarettes and a provision increasing the size of health warning labels on packages. Anti-smoking advocates argue cigarettes with less tar are no less harmful to one's health.

The bill for the first time gives a federal regulator, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), broad authority over tobacco companies. It was welcomed by health advocates and even some major tobacco companies.

Fruit or sweet-flavoured cigarettes - often criticized for targeting children - will also be banned, while new warning labels on cigarette packets will take up about half of the space.

Obama, who has been seen smoking at times in the past, said the bill '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.'

Altria Group, the parent company of cigarette producers Philip Morris, also welcomed the bill's passage.

'The legislation is an important step forward to achieve the goal we share with others to provide federal regulation of tobacco products,' Altria said in a statement.