A move by the Canadian parliament to keep flavoured cigarettes away from children is coming under fire from members of the US Congress amid charges it essentially bans certain tobacco exports to Canada and violates trade laws.

US Senators and Representatives as well as business lobbies say the bill would essentially ban the export of burley tobacco, grown in states such as Kentucky and Tennessee. Burley tobacco contains flavouring ingredients which mask tobacco's harsh taste.
A delegation of Senators and Representatives from Kentucky wrote to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton asking her to help stop the bill, which they see as an "unfair assault" on US tobacco growers.
A spokesperson for Canada's Ministry of International Trade said, one is aware of the concerns expressed by US congress members, but that the bill responds to an "important public health objective" of the Canadian government over concerns with tobacco products. (pi)