AWMA and all others working to promote alternative legislation to the House-passed FDA tobacco regulatory bill (HR 1256) introduced by Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA), were gratified by the Senate’s decision to delay consideration of such a measure until after the Memorial Day recess in late May.  

Initially, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) had placed the Waxman FDA bill on the Senate Calendar indicating that that body would be taking the issue up sometime in the next few weeks.  However, after heavy lobbying on the part of many associations and businesses opposing this misguided effort, Senator Reid has decided to delay consideration of the bill until sometime after Congress returns from the Memorial Day recess.  

Given the crowded legislative schedule the FDA tobacco bill may not be considered until late summer.  Despite health issues, Senator Kennedy has indicated that he still would like to introduce his own FDA tobacco bill and pressure to properly vet this measure from the business community – such as AWMA – may make it more likely that this measure would be considered by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee before being brought before the full Senate.

The delay in consideration of the FDA tobacco bill is good news for AWMA and others dedicated to promoting more reasonable, thoughtful regulation of tobacco.  AWMA will continue to push for passage of such alternative measures as those proposed by Rep. Buyer (HR 1261) and Senator Burr (S 579).  Any AWMA members wishing to make their views known on this important issue may visit our Web site at and simply click on the “government affairs” button to send a pre-written letter to their legislators on this matter.