The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act: An Early Evaluation

Abstract

The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, enacted on June 22, 2009, gives FDA jurisdiction to regulate tobacco products “as appropriate for the protection of the public health.” This is a major change to a regulatory scheme for tobacco that has historically excluded FDA. Among other things, the Act gives FDA authority to restrict the sale and marketing of tobacco products and to require changes in the design and characteristics of tobacco products. Many aspects of the Act are controversial. This legislation has the potential to increase government control over tobacco products and their marketing, and to improve anti-smoking efforts; however, it will likely be difficult to implement in practice.