Introduced by Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA), the legislation would put the tobacco industry under FDA regulation, something that the FDA itself has previously sought, but McClellan said that the FDA does not presently have the resources to take on such a large responsibility.
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, of which Kennedy is the chairman, is expected to consider the proposal on Wednesday.
In February, Kennedy and other lawmakers from both the Senate and House introduced the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, which would give the FDA the same authority to regulate tobacco products as it has over other consumer products, including medications.
"Congress cannot in good conscience allow the federal agency most responsible for protecting the public health to remain powerless to deal with the enormous risks of tobacco, the most deadly of all consumer products," Kennedy said when introducing the proposal.
"Health experts believe this legislation is the most important action Congress could take to protect children from this deadly addiction," his statement continued.
