The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent warning letters to four tobacco manufacturers that what they market as flavoured small cigars are subject to restrictions placed on cigarettes, the agency said.

Swisher International, maker of Swisher Sweets, Cheyenne International, Prime Time International and Southern Cross Tobacco were told the products violate the Family Smoking Prevention and Control Act (TCA).
“Although labelled as little cigars or cigars, the products meet the definition of cigarettes in the TCA, because they are likely to be offered to, or purchased by, consumers as cigarettes based on their overall presentation, appearance, and packaging and labelling,” FDA said. “Additionally, since the products meet the definition of a cigarette, the FDA determined that the products are adulterated because they contain a natural or artificial characterizing flavour, or misbranded if they only purport to do so.”