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The legislation also would authorize the regulatory agency to establish a national standard for cigarette ingredient disclosure, order removal of harmful...

Washington, D.C (AHN) - The U.S. Senate health committee has postponed the meeting on a bill that would give the Food and Drug Administration the authority to regulate tobacco products. The voting session, previously scheduled to take place on June 18, will now take place on June 25.

The Health and Human Services Agency would acquire the same authority over cigarettes and other tobacco products that it already has over countless other consumer products. The legislation also would authorize the regulatory agency to establish a national standard for cigarette ingredient disclosure, order removal of harmful ingredients, ban ads aimed at children and toughen warning labels on tobacco packaging.

The bill introduced by Committee Chairman Edward Kennedy is backed by dozens of lawmakers and one of the world's largest tobacco corporations, Altria Group Inc. unit, Philip Morris USA.

While the supporters of the legislation call it a step forward towards stabilizing the tobacco policy in the country, several small cigarette makers and lawmakers have opposed it saying it was way too favorable for Philip Morris and belittles interests of the smaller companies by making them less competitive.

Despite all the objections, the bill is expected to pass by majority in the Senate. A similar bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives.