WASHINGTON, Jan 29 (Reuters) - New legislation granting the U.S. Food and Drug Administration power to regulate cigarettes and other tobacco products will come in weeks, the head of the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee said on Thursday.

Committee Chairman Rep. Henry Waxman of California told reporters he was close to introducing the measure.

He spoke to reporters after his appearance at a health reform conference sponsored by the advocacy group Families USA. (Reporting by Susan Heavey, editing by Leslie Gevirtz)