President Barack Obama signed into law an anti-smoking bill that will give the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) unprecedented authority to regulate tobacco.

On 22 June 2009 President Barack Obama signed H.R. 1256, the Family Smoking Prevention & Tobacco Control Act, into law. The act grants the FDA important new authority to regulate the manufacture, marketing and distribution of tobacco products to protect the public health generally and to reduce tobacco use by minors. The act authorizes the FDA to require disclosure of tobacco product ingredients and additives; regulate "modified risk" tobacco products; create standards for tobacco products, including standards for the reduction or elimination of certain constituents; restrict sales, distribution, advertising and promotion of tobacco products; and require stronger health warnings on packaging.
It also requires the FDA to issue its 1996 final regulation restricting the sale and distribution of nicotine-containing cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products. The rule contains provisions designed to limit young people's access to tobacco products, as well as restrictions on marketing to curb the appeal of these products to minors.
The FDA will set up a new tobacco regulatory office financed by industry fees. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that assessments could rise from USD 235 million in 2010 to USD 700 million annually in 2019. Industry analysts estimate the cost of fees to tobacco companies could reach USD 0.06 per pack. (pi)