Is this the year for FDA regulation of tobacco products?

The FDA Law Blog says it seems likely that the answer will be “yes” in a long comment published today, available here. It discusses The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act"" (H.R. 1256) which is on a fast-track under the new administration. The bill passed the House Energy and Commerce Committee by an overwhelming margin on March 4, 2008, two days after it was introduced. It is now headed to the full House of Representatives. The bill would give FDA the authority to regulate tobacco products, including cigarettes and smokeless tobacco.