The FDA has sent letters to four tobacco makers warning them to pull flavored cigarettes labeled as “little cigars” or “cigars” from store shelves.
According to the National Association of Convenience Stores,
Cheyenne International, Prime Time International Distributing, Southern Cross Tobacco Co. and Swisher International have been selling flavored tobacco products under the names Cheyenne, Criss-Cross, Prime Time and Swisher Sweets, in such “youth-appealing flavors” as cherry, grape, strawberry and wild cherry.
The FDA contends that selling flavored cigarettes as little cigars violates the Family Smoking Prevention and Control Act.
“Flavored cigarettes appeal to kids and disguise the bad taste of tobacco, but they are just as addictive as regular tobacco products and have the same harmful health effects,” said Mitch Zeller, J.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products.
The agency points out that the products meet the definition of cigarettes, not “little cigars” or “cigars,” “because they are likely to be offered to, or purchased by, consumers as cigarettes based on their overall presentation, appearance and packaging and labeling.”