Personal Injury Law

Warning of smoking's dangers, Obama signs tobacco bill into law

As an anti-tobacco advocate and a personal injury lawyer who has seen many smoking-related injuries, I am thrilled by the President?s signing of the tobacco bill into law.

The historic measure gives the Food and Drug Administration unprecedented power to regulate tobacco, including the marketing and distribution of tobacco products. CBS Evening News (6/22, story 5, 0:30, Couric) reported the President signed the "landmark legislation today, saying it will save lives" and that ?as someone who started smoking as a teenager, he knows how hard it is to quit."

The Los Angeles Times (6/23, Parsons) reports, "Obama declared that his signature on the bill represented a significant defeat for tobacco companies that tried to hook young customers." President Obama said yesterday, "Their campaign has finally failed. Today, change has come."

Although media coverage of the signing focused largely on the President?s unclear personal use of cigarettes, what is important is that the bill has been signed in to law, and that tobacco companies no longer have the ability to inaccurately promote their products. When asked if the President ?practices what he preaches,? White House press secretary Robert Gibbs was shown saying: "I don't honestly see the need to get a whole lot more specific than the fact that it's a continuing struggle." Regardless of the President?s personal afflictions with smoking, he has acted rightfully within his capacity as President by signing the bill into law.

Full post as published by Chicago Injury Lawyer Blog on June 23, 2009 (boomark / email).