Each day about a thousand teens and children under 18 become regular smokers. That's why lawmakers overwhelmingly passed a bill that would give the federal government sweeping new powers to regulate the tobacco industry.

The bill is aimed at stopping tobacco and cigarette ads that may influence young people to smoke, and it would give the Food and Drug administration authority over tobacco products if its signed. People in KELOLAND on both sides of the tobacco debate weigh in about the bill.

Legislation passed by Congress gives the U.S. government new powers over the tobacco industry.

"The warning labels, will be increased by as much as 50 to 60 percent now, so they'll really cover a lot of the package and get that message across that this is bad for you," Darrin Smith with the American Heart Association said.

Bigger and brighter warning labels are just one change to tobacco products if the bill is made law. There won't be any special tobacco flavors but menthol. Smoking ads will no longer be allowed near schools. Cigarette makers won't be able to sponsor entertainment or sporting events, and more:

"You can no longer advertise your tobacco products as light or low tar. They've really determined that there is no such thing and that the tobacco companies were promoting their products in that way to give the impression that they're somehow healthier," Smith said. 

Darrin Smith says the American Heart Association supports cracking down on the tobacco industry, because he say the changes can help prevent people from smoking.

People in KELOLAND are on both sides of debate over the potential regulations.

Some people say the government is stepping out of bounds, and that smoking doesn't need to be so heavily regulated.

"With everything that they've talked about and all. You go to the doctor, and they tell you smoking is bad for you. We're adults. If that's our right, our choice, let us do it," Michele Christensen of Sioux Falls said.

But others agree with parts of the tobacco legislation, especially when it comes to advertising aimed at teenagers and children.

"I wouldn't want to see young kids starting up smoking. I did. It was probably the dumbest thing I ever did in my life. I wish I never did start," Keith Lambertz of Sioux Falls said.  

That's exactly what lawmakers hope to accomplish; by regulating advertising, marketing, and manufacturing of tobacco products, they hope to keep young people from lighting up.

This tobacco legislation comes 50 years after the surgeon general first warned about the health effects of tobacco. The bill is on President Barack Obama's desk. The President said Friday that he looks forward to signing it.