President Obama says he will sign a bill that gives the government power to regulate tobacco products. The U.S. Senate passed the bill June 11. The House passed it June 12, the Associated Press said. The Food and Drug Administration will be in charge of regulating tobacco. The bill requires bigger warning labels on cigarettes. It bans flavored cigarettes and tobacco sponsorship of sports events and concerts. Tobacco ads are banned near schools, and they can't call products "light" or "mild." Cigarette vending machines will be limited to places that serve adults only.

By Diana Post, M.D.
Harvard Medical School

What Is the Doctor's Reaction?

We have known that smoking is a danger to health for a very long time. Fewer people smoke now in this country than in years past. However, about 1 out of 5 adults still do smoke. And almost half a million people die each year from smoking-related diseases. So tobacco remains a major public health problem. The costs in health care bills for tobacco-related illness are staggering.

For years, efforts to pass tobacco regulation laws were unsuccessful. Cigarettes remained less regulated than pet food! But this is changing. Congress has passed the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. The government can now regulate how tobacco products are made, marketed and sold.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will not be allowed to outlaw smoking. It will, however, have great powers to control tobacco. Tobacco will no longer be considered "just another product" made and sold in this country.

Almost all smokers start before age 21, many before age 18. So the new law will prohibit flavored tobacco products that are designed to attract young smokers. Advertisements with cartoon characters might also be banned.

The FDA will be able to regulate the nicotine and chemical content of cigarettes, as well as the flavorings. Cigarettes might be made to taste so bad that no one will want to smoke.

Marketing and advertising of tobacco products will be limited. Strict limits will be placed on advertisements that claim safer products. These deceptive ads can encourage people to smoke or chew tobacco. The bill bans terms such as "light" and "low tar" in reference to cigarettes. Experts think these labels can fool people into thinking that tobacco is not harmful. Large health warnings will also be required on cigarette packages.

The new law will even require cigarette companies to fund the new FDA department that will control the tobacco industry.

What Changes Can I Make Now?

Don't smoke. If you do smoke, quit. We know the health risks of smoking. It causes about one-fifth of all deaths each year in the United States.

Smoking is the leading cause of preventable illness. Smoking causes the majority of lung cancers. It increases your risk of throat, mouth, esophageal, pancreatic and bladder cancer. It is the major cause of bronchitis and emphysema. It increases your risk of stroke, heart attack, aortic aneurysm and peripheral vascular disease. Many, many other health problems also are associated with smoking.

Yet 1 out of 5 American adults still smoke. Quitting is hard. But it is without a doubt the best thing you can do for yourself and your family.

You may need help if you are unable to quit on your own. The more you smoke, the more difficult it may be to quit. Speak with your doctor about quitting. You might want to discuss:

• Nicotine products -- These can help relieve withdrawal symptoms. There are nicotine patches, gums, nasal sprays and inhalers. Some are available without a prescription.
• Individual, group and telephone counseling -- If you're looking for counseling, try local hospitals, health plans, your employer, the American Cancer Society or other health associations.
• Nicotine replacement combined with counseling -- This is even more effective than just nicotine replacement.
• Other medicines -- Buproprion SR (Zyban) and varenicline (Chantix) are non-nicotine pills that can help people stop smoking.

What Can I Expect Looking to the Future?

The FDA finally has the authority to control tobacco products. I think the FDA should make it very difficult to attract young people to cigarettes and chewing tobacco. We need to see a decline in new young smokers. This could save children from the health problems that come from tobacco.

I believe we will see strict limits on advertising tobacco to children. I hope we also will see rules limiting tobacco companies from making products designed to appeal to young people. These should all lead to fewer new smokers.

In addition, I hope members of Congress will now pass other laws to limit smoking. They could make all workplaces smoke-free. This can protect workers from secondhand smoke. Congress can provide money for anti-smoking programs. And it can raise the tax on tobacco products. Higher taxes also can reduce the number of young people who use tobacco.