WASHINGTON — Tobacco companies will be required to report levels of dangerous chemicals found in cigarettes, chew and other products, under the latest rules designed to tighten restrictions on the tobacco industry.
The preliminary rule from the Food and Drug Administration marks the first time tobacco makers will be required to report quantities of 20 ingredients associated with cancer, lung disease and other health problems. The FDA will require companies to display the information in consumer-friendly packaging by next April.
Regulators have identified more than 93 harmful or potentially harmful chemicals in tobacco products, though the agency is only focusing on 20 for now.
A law enacted in 2009 gave the FDA authority to regulate a number of aspects of tobacco marketing and manufacturing, though the agency cannot ban nicotine.