McCain May Push For FDA Regulation of Tobacco
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) is considering proposing a bill that would give the FDA regulatory authority over tobacco products, Roll Call reports. Still in the "formative stages," the proposal was brought to McCain's attention three weeks ago by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, an anti-tobacco group. McCain said he has not discussed the proposal with other senators or set a target date for introducing the bill, adding, "We are still discussing things." Roll Call reports that other efforts to regulate tobacco are moving forward in the Senate. Sens. Lincoln Chafee (R-R.I.), Bob Graham (D-Fla.) and Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) have introduced a bill (S 247) that would give the FDA authority over tobacco. A senior Democratic aide said of McCain's potential involvement, "This is a shot in the arm for the anti-tobacco forces on Capitol Hill. The anti-tobacco forces now can get re-energized and try to take on this powerful industry" (Preston, Roll Call, 2/15).