WASHINGTON ( CNN ) -- President Obama signed landmark legislation Monday giving the Food and Drug Administration new power to regulate the manufacturing , marketing and sale of tobacco . President Obama says the new law `` represents change that 's been decades in the making . '' The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act gives the FDA power to ban candy-flavored and fruit-flavored cigarettes , widely considered appealing to first-time smokers , including youths . It also prohibits tobacco companies from using terms such as `` low tar , '' `` light '' or `` mild , '' requires larger warning labels on packages , and restricts advertising of tobacco products . It also requires tobacco companies to reduce levels of nicotine in cigarettes . The new law `` represents change that 's been decades in the making , '' Obama said during a bill-signing ceremony in the White House Rose Garden . `` The decades-long effort to protect our children [ has ] emerged victorious . ... Today , change has come . '' Despite a significant decrease in the percentage of Americans who smoke in recent decades , more than 400,000 Americans still die from tobacco-related illnesses every year , the president noted . Tobacco-related health care costs exceed $ 100 billion annually . Altria Group , which owns Philip Morris USA , the nation 's biggest cigarette company , previously called congressional passage of the law `` an important step forward . '' At the same time , however , it also expressed `` First Amendment reservations about certain provisions , including those that could restrict a manufacturer 's ability to communicate truthful information to adult consumers about tobacco products . '' Phillip Morris makes such brands as Marlboro , Virginia Slims , Chesterfield and Basic . A narrow majority of adult Americans opposes the law , according to a Gallup Poll released Monday . Fifty-two percent of Americans -- including most smokers -- are opposed to the measure , while 46 percent support it . The survey was conducted June 14-17 . Before signing the bill , the president acknowledged the struggle that young people in particular face when they try to stop smoking . `` I know because I was one of those teenagers . I know how difficult it can be when you get started at a young age , '' he said .
Law gives Obama power to ban candy-flavored and fruit-flavored cigarettes . Also prohibits companies from using terms such as `` low tar , '' `` light '' or `` mild '' one + Americans die from tobacco-related illnesses decades , FDA notes .