FDA NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Sept. 22, 2009
Candy and Fruit Flavored Cigarettes Now Illegal in
United States; Step is First Under New Tobacco Law
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced
today a ban on cigarettes with flavors
characterizing fruit, candy, or clove. The ban,
authorized by the new Family Smoking Prevention and
Tobacco Control Act, is part of a national effort by
the FDA to reduce smoking in America. Smoking is the
leading preventable cause of death in America.
The FDA's ban on candy and fruit-flavored
cigarettes, effective today, highlights the
importance of reducing the number of children who
start to smoke, and who become addicted to dangerous
tobacco products. The FDA is also examining options
for regulating both menthol cigarettes and flavored
tobacco products other than cigarettes.
"Almost 90 percent of adult smokers start smoking as
teenagers. These flavored cigarettes are a gateway
for many children and young adults to become regular
smokers," said FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg,
M.D. "The FDA will utilize regulatory authority to
reduce the burden of illness and death caused by
tobacco products to enhance our Nation's public
health."
Flavors make cigarettes and other tobacco products
more appealing to youth. Studies have shown that 17
year old smokers are three times as likely to use
flavored cigarettes as smokers over the age of 25.1
"Flavored cigarettes attract and allure kids into
lifetime addiction," said U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Health
Howard K. Koh, M.D., M.P.H. "FDA's ban on these
cigarettes will break that cycle for the more than
3,600 young people who start smoking daily."
The FDA is taking several steps to enforce the ban.
A letter recently sent to the tobacco industry
provided information about the law, and explained
that any company who continues to make, ship or sell
such products may be subject to FDA enforcement
actions.
The FDA has also made available today an advisory to
parents on the risks associated with flavored
tobacco products.
"Youth are twice as likely to report seeing
advertising for these flavored products as adults
are," said Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, a pediatrician and
the FDA Principal Deputy Commissioner. "Marketing
campaigns for products with sweet candy and fruit
flavors can mislead young people into thinking that
these products are less addictive and less harmful."
The FDA encourages consumers to report continuing
sales of flavored cigarettes through a special
tobacco hotline (1-877-CTP-1373) and Web site (www.fda.gov/flavoredtobacco).
Parents and consumers can learn more about the risks
of flavored tobacco products at
www.fda.gov.
Footnote:
1 Klein SM, Giovino GA, Barker DC, Tworek C,
Cummings KM, O'Connor RJ. Use of flavored cigarettes
among older adolescent and adult smokers: United
States, 2004-2005. Nicotine Tob Res.
2008;10(7):1209-14.
