The FDA is already in crisis and overburdened. Its own scientific advisers say that the Agency can’t fulfill its mission to protect our nation’s health, food supply, medicines and medical devices. Now, Congress wants to add new taxes and fees of more than $7 billion to fund new FDA tobacco regulations when numerous other federal and state agencies are already working to reduce tobacco use.

A U.S. House committee voted 38-12 recently to advance a bill that would give the FDA authority over the sale, advertising, and distribution of tobacco products. It would provide for stronger warnings on cigarette packs; require the removal of harmful ingredients; prohibit misleading health claims; and enforce the law on sales to minors. Because a similar bill passed a Senate committee last year, the House vote was a major step closer to regulation, which former FDA commissioner David Kessler called for back in 1995.

Shortly after the committee vote a White House spokesman said the administration was concerned that F.D.A. oversight of tobacco could create a public misperception that regulated tobacco products are safe. “The administration believes that tobacco is not a device or a drug to be regulated by the F.D.A.,” said the spokeswoman, Emily Lawrimore.

Pollster John Zogby comments on a recent Zogby International survey (2-2008) that found Americans prefer the federal Food and Drug Administration concentrate on its core mission of policing food and drugs, not tobacco.