(BP) - The Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission is urging adoption of legislation that would authorize the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to regulate tobacco products.

The ERLC is part of a coalition of about 50 public health and religious organizations supporting FDA authority over tobacco. Among the members are the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association and American Medical Association. The FDA has never regulated tobacco, but Congress may be on the verge of granting the agency such authority.

The Senate approved an amendment to that effect in July, but a version of the same bill approved by the House of Representatives did not include the provision. After the Senate and House reconvene Sept. 7, a conference committee consisting of members of both chambers will negotiate a final report on the different versions to submit to Congress for passage.