Anti-smoking group against alternative

The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids opposes a bill from North Carolina's senators.

The anti-smoking advocacy group said this afternoon that a proposal from Sens. Richard Burr and Kay Hagan to create a new agency to regulate tobacco falls short.

The two senators proposed the bill as an alternative to legislation currently working its way through Congress that would give the Food and Drug Administration regulatory authority over tobacco.

Matthew Myers, president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, said that the Burr-Hagan bill would create an unnecessary new agency without experience in tobacco, tie the hands of regulators and create loopholes for tobacco companies.

"Congress should not be distracted by this weak legislation," he said in a statement.

Chris Walker, a spokesman for Burr, said that he hopes lawmakers and other groups will seriously consider the bill, which was introduced today.

"I'm curious if they've even had a chance to read it," he said.