FDA regulation of tobacco signed by Obama and new Integrative Epidemiology website design
I am so excited for two things today. First, I am happy to introduce my new website design and development of my new blog. I plan to address and comment on the latest developments in biomedical science, genetics and public health and how advances may affect policy and the practice of medicine and health research across the U.S. and the world. You can also follow my updates on twitter @susanepi.
Yesterday, President Obama officially signed into law the congressional bill to allow the FDA to regulate tobacco products. After many years of proposing such regulations, I am still in state of awe at how rapidly Congress passed such a bill in both House and Senate and got legislation on the president’s desk within months (lightening speed for passing anything in the government). The big white elephant in the passage of this bill will be exactly what kind of effect it will have on public health and the tobacco industry. While the bill does not have the authority to ban cigarettes, the legislation of product development and marketing will likely have a significant affect on the sale of tobacco products. Financing the FDA regulation of tobacco will likely increase the cost of cigarettes and tobacco products, which may decrease their use, and/or may tilt the scale in the opposite direction and possibly create a black market for unregulated tobacco products. It is still too early to tell how this historic legislation will pan out, but it will sure be a fascinating development to follow in upcoming months.
