REUTERS SAYS EXPECT FDA RULES SHORTLY [08/19]

The Reuters News Agency is reporting that the FDA rules, largely unchanged from their initial proposed form, will be issued prior to the election, and possibly as early as next week.

The report also quotes Action on Smoking and Health (ASH).

Here are some excerpts:

U.S. COURTS MAY HAVE FINAL SAY ON SMOKING CURBS,
By Robert Trautman

WASHINGTON, Aug 18 (Reuter) - President Bill Clinton intends to act soon to announce new curbs on youth access to tobacco, but exactly when they take effect may be up to the courts, people famililar with the issue say.

The rules are thought to be little different from those President Clinton proposed last year in an effort to stop minors from starting smoking.

Cigarette companies would have been barred from placing billboard advertising within 1,000 feet of schools and playgrounds.

It was also proposed to require age-verified and face-to-face sales and eliminate mail-order sales, vending machines, free samples, self-service displays and sales of fewer than 20 cigarettes.

Clinton also urged that sales or giveaways of caps or gym bags with tobacco company logos be prohibited, as well as brand-name sponsorship of sporting or entertainment events.

Administration officials who requested anonymity said it did not appear that the FDA had made significant changes.

The White House has said the rules would be issued before the November 5 presidential election. Others, close to the rule-making procedure, said they could be issued as soon as this week to go into effect in 90 or 120 days.

Then it would be the courts' turn, but a leading tobacco foe, Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), saw little chance the industry would succeed in trying to delay the restrictions.

John Banzhaf, ASH executive director, said that despite fresh legal action, it was unlikely a court would delay implementation the rules while it debated their merits.

ASH - ACTION ON SMOKING AND HEALTH 2013 H Street, NW / Washington, DC 20006 / (202) 659-4310