The FDA goes after cigarette companies that flavor their product

Ten cigarette companies in the United States have been sent a strongly worded letter that their plan on selling flavored cigarettes is against the law.

Reuters reports that the Food and Drug Administration has told companies that have been flavoring their cigarettes to seize immediately or bring their product into compliance with the law. The ban of flavored cigarettes -- that could appeal to children -- started in September per The Tobacco Control Act, passed in June. The law gave the FDA more power over the tobacco industry. The goal of the act is to reduce the number of children that pick up a tobacco habit. The banning of flavored cigarettes is one of the first steps of that act. It is believed that children are more likely to try cigarettes with a novel taste which could lead them into a lifetime addiction. The FDA web site reports:

FDA takes the enforcement of this flavored cigarette ban seriously,” said Lawrence R. Deyton, M.S.P.H, M.D., director of FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products. These actions should send a clear message to those who continue to break the law that FDA will take necessary actions to protect our children from initiating tobacco use.”

Menthol flavored cigarettes are not part of the ban.