FDA to Regulate Tobacco Products?

The Flavor Extract and Manufacturers Association (FEMA) has announced that the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee recently reported a bill to the full Senate, S. 625, which would for the first time give the Food and Drug Administration the authority to regulate tobacco products.

Included in this legislation is a provision prohibiting cigarettes from containing any artificial or natural flavor (other than tobacco or menthol) or an herb or spice, including strawberry, cinnamon or coffee. Senator Mike Enzi of Wyoming also added an amendment to the bill to ban clove-flavored tobacco and vowed to continue his efforts to also prohibit the use of menthol in tobacco products because menthol contributes to the possibility that young people can become addicted to tobacco, particularly tobacco that is flavored.

The bill will now be acted on by the full Senate. Stay tuned for updates.

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