Purpose

• The FDA does not have the right to ban tobacco.sign of no smoking. smoking prohibited. control image by L. Shat from Fotolia.com
  
  According to govtrack.us, the purpose of the act is to "protect the public health by providing the Food and Drug Administration with certain authority to regulate tobacco products." It also requires greater accountability on the part of tobacco companies when it comes to stating ingredients and provide larger warnings on cigarette cartons. Among other things, it also prohibits the FDA from banning tobacco products or nicotine.
  
  

History

• Once in motion this act moved very quickly through the law making process.capitol image by Andrew Breeden from Fotolia.com
  
  The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Act was sponsored by Rep. Henry Waxman of California and introduced in the House on March 3, 2009. Two amendments were proposed before it was passed by the House of Representatives on April 2, 2009. The Senate passed the bill on June 11, 2009, after proposing 78 more amendments. It was signed by the president 11 days later, and the act became public law.
  
  

Additional Elements

• Tobacco companies and the ingredients they use are now federally regulated.tobacco field image by OMKAR A.V from Fotolia.com
  
  According to projectvotesmart.com, this law requires an annual publication about the health risks of tobacco use. Moreover, it prohibits the use of natural and artificial flavors besides menthol and tobacco and allows for a quarterly collection of funds from tobacco companies for tobacco regulation funding. Finally, it orders a study on the health implications if the minimum age for tobacco use is raised.