Tobacco industry experts weigh in on the new law

"Regulation by the FDA is a great step forward. It's better than no step. It is not by all means perfect -- it does have some loopholes. One in particular that I've been vocal about is the exemption of menthol at the urging of Philip Morris. . . . This is a big error, because menthol is a gateway for kids and particularly for young women. It's also a cigarette that has been targeted to African American communities for decades.

"Philip Morris had no business being at the negotiation table helping to structure a bill that was going to regulate them. . . . I'm quite chagrined that they allowed Philip Morris to draft legislation at all.

"The bill will encourage more activity. . . . The crux is to de-normalize tobacco first and foremost for children. Smoke-free environments work. Raising the price on a pack of cigarettes works. De-socializing works. The restriction of advertising works. Cognitive enabling of children works. Hopefully this bill will shape some of that.

"I'd like to see states pick up smoke-free environments. I don't mean half-hearted attempts. We know [smoke] kills. We have to get rid of it.

"I'd also like to see fire-safe cigarettes. . . . If New York and New Hampshire and Vermont can do it, why can't all the states do it? They save lives, particularly those of innocent firemen and children."

-- Shara Yurkiewicz