In March 2000 the Supreme Court ruled that the Food and Drug Administration does not have the authority to regulate tobacco products. This ruling was met with outrage by public health advocates, and calls for legislation to provide the FDA with such authority. It has become apparent, however, that tobacco control advocates have confused the desire for federal regulation of tobacco products with the goal of FDA control. This paper discuses why the Supreme Court was correct in holding the FDA does not have authority to regulate tobacco, why the FDA would be the wrong agency to do so, and the characteristics of a federal agency that could provide effective regulation.
Learning Objectives: N/A
Keywords: Tobacco, Regulations
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.