Clinton Nod To Fda Plan

The president has accepted and authorised the FDA action, which will go into effect in stages beginning in six months, White House press secretary Mike McCurry said. McCurry said that Clinton in essence has accepted...that cigarettes and smokeless tobacco are delivery devices for nicotine, which the administration believes qualifies them to fall under the authority of the FDA.

Clinton, who first called for curbs last August, has advocated curbing advertising of tobacco products aimed at children and called for steps to make it more difficult for them to buy such items.

We assume...that it will be litigated, McCurry said of the decision. Tobacco companies have made clear they will fight the regulations in court by claiming the FDA does not have the authority to regulate nicotine.