Regulating tobacco

The Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch

Congress had a golden opportunity to improve Americans' health, cut health-care costs and throw a lasso around a rogue industry.

But that opportunity was flicked out the window when a House-Senate conference committee working on a corporate-tax bill jettisoned a provision to allow the Food and Drug Administration to regulate the tobacco industry.

Ohio Sen. Mike DeWine, a Republican, and Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., had crafted a bipartisan bill that had the support of myriad health groups and even tobacco company Philip Morris.

DeWine promises to be back next year with the same bill and a new strategy. But, he says, FDA regulation won't happen until the public demands it.

Apparently, Americans haven't been clear enough. So, listen up, lawmakers. Here's the scoop, in simple terms so that even those lawmakers who are particularly obtuse can understand: Tobacco products kill. Regulation is needed. ASAP.