Health officials to end sales of flavored tobacco

Federal health officials intend to end the sale of flavored tobacco products in order to avoid luring children and teenagers into smoking.†† ìBanning the marketing and use of strawberry, chocolate and other flavored cigarettes will help slow the rate of addiction among smokers, preventing disease and saving millions in health care costs down the line,” Senator Tom Harkin told the New York Times.

This ban is the first major action against smoking since the Food and Drug Administration was given authority to regulate tobacco three months ago. Under this law, the agency has the authority to regulate marketing and manufacture of tobacco products but not ban them entirely. Starting in January, manufacturers will submit information to the agency about ingredients and additives used, and by July tobacco products will not be allowed to use terms such as ìlight,” ìlow” or ìmild.”