The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given an update on its proposed tobacco product standards with an intent to soon ban menthol cigarettes, reports CStoreDecisions.

The FDA is on track with its plan to “take significant action toward dramatically reducing tobacco-related disease and death in the US” and has voiced its intent to soon prohibit menthol as a characterizing flavour in cigarettes as well as all characterizing flavours in cigars.
“We know the important role of flavours in facilitating initiation and addiction, especially for populations with disproportionate use of and harm from these products,” said the agency. “We also have seen the benefits of prohibition of other flavoured cigarettes. One of the most powerful ways to address these inequities is to advance these two product standards, which are expected to have enormous health benefits to these populations. And we remain on track to do just that.”
According to CStoreDecisions, studies show that menthol flavoured tobacco products are especially appealing to youngsters and can be more addictive than non-menthol products. A factor that also plays a role in cigars that are becoming more and more popular with youths.
The FDA plans to issue proposed rules for both product standards in spring and, after reviewing and considering comments, could move on to issue final product standards that would become enforceable once in effect, reports CStoreDecisions.
The prohibition of menthol cigarettes and flavoured cigars would be aimed at manufacturers, distributors and retailers rather than at individual consumers.