FDA Warns Against Efforts to Dodge Flavored Cigarette Ban

As a new ban on most flavored cigarettes went into effect, officials with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned manufacturers against trying to get around the law by marketing copycat products, such as mini flavored cigars, the Wall Street Journal reported Sept. 24.

While menthol is still permitted as a cigarette flavoring, the new rules prohibit clove cigarettes as well as the use of fruit and candy flavors. Clove cigarette maker Kretek International currently markets cigarette-sized cigars in various flavors, but the products are coming under increased scrutiny as the new FDA ban comes into effect.

The FDA defines a cigarette as “any roll of tobacco wrapped in paper,” and officials said they plan to examine little cigars on a case-by-case basis to see if they fall under the ban. The FDA already has told manufacturers that the law applies to any product considered a cigarette, even if they are “labeled as cigars or some other product.”