The FDA announced yesterday it would crack down on the sale and marketing of tobacco products to children.
While such bans already exist in most states, enforcement varies. Every day, some 4,000 children try a cigarette for the first time, and about 1,000 of them become daily smokers, according to the Food and Drug Administration.
But we've known this for years. In fact, the federal rule, which goes into effect June 22, was initially proposed some 15 years ago, this NY Times article explains.
Still, the rule is a significant step toward regulating the ingredients in tobacco and restricting the way it is sold. It's part of new broad powers Congress gave the FDA last year, when it passed legislation to regulate the $89 billion industry, this Washington Post story explains.
The new rule:
* prohibits the sale of cigarettes or smokeless tobacco to people younger than 18
* forbids the sale of cigarette packages with less than 20 cigarettes
* forbids distribution of cigarette free samples
* restricts distribution of free samples of smokeless tobacco
* would prevent tobacco brand name sponsorship of athletic, musical and cultural events.