In fact, over regulation could have negative impact. Needless delays that prevent valuable new medicine from reaching parents will adversely affect public health. Moreover, cost increases due to ineffective regulations could also keep new medicines from patients that are in need. Adding greater oversight responsibility to the FDA for products such as tobacco could absorb resources currently allocated for medical device and drug review. Ultimately, education will remain the key to a strong children's health policy geared to preventing teen smoking.
Enforcement is only a small part of the solution.
I will be watching these proposals closely when they get to the House floor. I believe the FDA can be an efficient watchdog, and given the right tools, the FDA can regulate tobacco should it be called upon to do so. That issue is still pending, as is the tobacco settlement as a whole.