Back to top. A long history 1938 - Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. For decades, FDA interpreted this law as intended to prevent its oversight of tobacco as long as cigarette makers did not make claims about health benefits. 1964 - Landmark Surgeon General's report on smoking and health. August 1995 - Clinton administration proposes FDA regulations to restrict youth tobacco access.
Tobacco industry sues.
August 1996 - FDA regulations take effect. A federal court rules that FDA has authority to regulate tobacco but not to restrict tobacco advertising. Appeals are filed. States had sued to recoup the Medicaid costs of treating smoking-related illnesses. September 1999 - Justice Dept.