Alexander Opposes Tobacco Control Act

Senator Lamar Alexander says tobacco should be regulated, by not by the FDA.

Congress is considering a bill to put the Food and Drug Administration in charge of controlling a tobacco company’s ingredients, marketing efforts, and recalls. Earlier this week, a group of religious leaders–including the Southern Baptist Convention’s Richard Land–called for its passage, saying the nation has a “moral obligation” to regulate tobacco.

Alexander voted against the measure when it came through his Senate Committee. He says the FDA is already stretched too thinly.

“I can’t think of a worse idea than having the FDA, which doesn’t even have time to regulate our food from China, to put them in charge of regulating tobacco in retail stores all across America.”

Alexander says he does think the nation needs to better control the tobacco industry, but doesn’t have an alternate plan for doing so.

The House is expected to begin work on the Tobacco Control Act soon. It’s been approved by one Senate committee.