Obama Signs Tougher Smoking Laws, Despite His Own Addiction

June 25, 2009

Recently, President Barack Obama signed a bill into law, which will protect younger Americans from the pressure to smoke. It is known as the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, and it gives regulatory powers to the Food and Drug Administration over the tobacco industry.

The new regulations will crack down on advertisers and companies who market their products towards younger audience members. Those advertisers who promote candy-flavored cigarettes and other flavored nicotine products to teenage consumers will face retribution. In addition, advertisers will not be allowed to place ads within 1,000 feet of schools and playgrounds.

President Barack Obama said that nearly 90 percent of the people who smoke began at the age of 18 or younger, including himself. Obama is taking this bill very personally and some see it as a way for him to cope with his own struggles against a nicotine addiction.