The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act of 2009 gives the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authority to regulate commercial tobacco products. The law emerged in response to over fifteen years of litigation with the tobacco industry, regulatory initiatives, settlement negotiations, U.S. Supreme Court review, and congressional debates. This timeline highlights key events leading to the enactment of the Tobacco Control Act.

For more on the history of commercial tobacco in the United States, see Select Resources on U.S. Tobacco Litigation, Legislation, & Regulation.