Thompson, criticized for his close ties to tobacco companies, said last week he would work aggressively to discourage smoking. A commission appointed by President Clinton released a report last month calling for FDA regulation. That report was sent to Bush. I think we have to continue to fight. Lawmakers from Kentucky, the nation's leading producer of the burley tobacco, say Bush is unlikely to support strict FDA legislation.
Health advocates say what's needed is broad regulation that also addresses adult addiction.
Former FDA Commissioner David Kessler, who initiated the agency's 1996 crackdown, said no regulatory authority over tobacco would be better than weak oversight.