FDA Warns Online Sellers: No More Flavored Cigarettes

By Rachel Stockton

Web companies that sell flavored cigarettes online have been given an official warning from the FDA to immediately stop selling those products.  Even though the agency banned candy and clove flavored cigarettes in September, some e-sellers have as yet to comply.  

Legally, the FDA cannot completely ban cigarettes; however, their goal at this juncture is to try and keep smoking initiation levels down to a minimum.  Flavored cigarettes, they further contend, target the young.  According to statistics, teenagers are three times more likely to smoke flavored cigarettes than are adults 25 and older.

The FDA sent the companies written correspondence advising them that they are in violation of the FDA ruling.  To rectify the situation, the targeted companies must submit, in writing, their compliance plan from this point forward.

Various studies have shown that 90% of all cigarette smokers began smoking during their teen years.  Potentially, the FDA states that banning flavored tobacco will help keep an average of 3,600 teenagers per day from taking their first drag.

Currently, flavored tobacco in the form of chaw and cigars is not affected by the prohibition.  However, the FDA is now researching those products to determine if they should be verboten in the future.

In June of this year, the FDA was given the authority to “rein in” the tobacco industry by banning certain products that promote the habit.  They may also ban certain labels, such as “light” and “low tar;” such advertising can give the public the mistaken notion that such products are not dangerous.

Some research has shown that various so-called “light” cigarettes have just as much tar and nicotine as regular cigarettes.