House Passes Tobacco Bill, but Senate Battle Looms

By DUFF WILSON
NYT

WASHINGTON — The House of Representatives passed legislation by a wide margin on Thursday to give the Food and Drug Administration sweeping new powers over tobacco products, which kill an estimated 400,000 Americans each year.

Despite the 298-to-112 House vote, though, a closer battle is likely in the Senate between public health advocates and some tobacco industry supporters. Senator Richard M. Burr, Republican of North Carolina, the nation’s leading tobacco producing state, has threatened a filibuster.

And while the cigarette leader Philip Morris supports the legislation, other big tobacco companies oppose it.

Senator Edward M. Kennedy, a prime sponsor in the Senate, plans to introduce a version of the House bill this month after a two-week Congressional recess. Mr. Kennedy will work for speedy passage, said his spokeswoman, Melissa Wagoner.

(More here.)