FDA NICOTINE REGULATION FLARE-UP COULD DISTRACT CONGRESS FROM AGENCY REFORM

FDA's proposal to regulate cigarettes as "restricted devices" could slow efforts to enact FDA reform legislation. The timing of President Clinton's go-ahead for introduction of tobacco regs may deflect legislators' attention away from FDA reform just as the issue is poised to gain momentum through reform proposals under development by the Senate Labor & Human Resources Committee and the House Commerce Committee.