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A bill giving the federal Food and Drug Administration the authority to regulate tobacco products appears headed for House passage.By a vote of 38-12 yesterday, the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved the landmark legislation -- the first time any House panel has voted for such a measure.Eleven Republicans joined the committee's Democrats in voting for the measure. Five of those lawmakers, including Rep. Baron Hill, D-9th District, Indiana, were from tobacco-producing districts. . . .The House committee's action came as opposition ended from other groups -- such as convenience store operators and some small tobacco companies, including the Louisville-based National Tobacco Co. -- after lawmakers agreed to make changes in the bill. . . .The lone Kentucky lawmaker on the panel, Rep. Ed Whitfield, R-1st District, voted against the bill, though he said he supported combating tobacco use.'The FDA's mission is to protect public health by assuring the safety and efficacy