Altria Group Inc (MO)

[NovoMira]

UPDATE 1-US Congress revives push for FDA tobacco authority
Thu Feb 15, 2007 4:40 PM ET

(Adds Altria comments in paragraphs 4, 5, 11, 12)

By Kevin Drawbaugh

WASHINGTON, Feb 15 (Reuters) - A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers renewed on Thursday an effort to authorize the government to regulate cigarettes as a drug, winning praise from anti-smoking forces and the maker of Marlboro cigarettes.

In a move that could reshape the tobacco industry, the lawmakers said they were introducing a bill to put cigarettes and other tobacco products for the first time clearly under the authority of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The sponsors said the legislation would allow the FDA to prevent tobacco advertising targeting children; prevent sale of tobacco products to minors; reduce tobacco product toxicity; and prevent misleading claims about smoking's dangers.

Tobacco company Altria Group <MO.N>, manufacturer of the world-leading brand of Marlboro cigarettes, reaffirmed its support for giving the FDA authority over tobacco.

"We wholeheartedly support the FDA legislation introduced today in its entirety. This thoughtful legislative approach offers the best way to advance real solutions to the many complex issues involving tobacco," said company spokesman Steven Parrish in a statement.

The Senate passed legislation in 2004 to give the FDA tobacco authority, but a companion House measure died. This time, with Democrats in control on Capitol Hill, the bill could become law, said anti-smoking advocates.

"Congress has the opportunity to take a monumental step and grant the (FDA) the meaningful and long-overdue authority to regulate tobacco, which kills 440,000 people and costs our nation $96.7 billion in health care bills every year," said John Seffrin, chief executive of the American Cancer Society.

The bill was introduced in the Senate by Massachusetts Democrat Edward Kennedy and Texas Republican John Cornyn. In the House of Representatives, California Democrat Henry Waxman and Virginia Republican Tom Davis are co-sponsoring the bill.

American Heart Association Chief Executive Cass Wheeler said, "Tobacco is one of the least-regulated consumer products ... Giving FDA the authority to regulate tobacco will save countless lives and hold a renegade industry accountable."

Citing the potential for more predictability and clearer standards in the U.S. tobacco industry, Altria urged Congress to take quick action on the FDA legislation.

"The strong views and concerns expressed recently about tobacco policy highlight the growing public consensus for Congress to enact broad regulation of tobacco products." said Parrish. Altria is the parent of Philip Morris USA.

Other companies that stand to be affected include Reynolds American Inc.'s <RAI.N> R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., Loews Corp.'s <LTR.N> Lorillard Tobacco Co. unit and British American Tobacco Plc <BATS.L>.