Small Town News

Some candy is banned by FDA

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On September 22, a ban on candy-, fruit-and spice-flavored cigarettes went into effect in the United States.

According to Judy Martinson, LPN with the Rolette County Pubic Health, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the ban as part of the new Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act in an effort to reduce smoking in America.

"Flavored cigarettes appealed to children and teens, and the flavoring disguised the bad taste of tobacco," said Martinson. "Many young people started smoking because they liked the flavor of the product, and before they knew - it, they were addicted smokers who were on their way to experiencing a lifetime of health problems.

"Some young people have the misunderstanding that flavored cigarettes are not as harmful as regular cigarettes," said Martinson. "Flavored tobacco products are just as deadly as regular-tasting products. They still contain addictive nicotine, and smoking any kind of tobacco product increases your risk of developing serious health problems, including lung cancer, heart disease and emphysema."

In 2007, 21.1 percent of North Dakota students in grades nine through 12 were current cigarette smokers, and 5.7 percent of students in grades seven and eight were current smokers. When North Dakota students who have tried smoking were asked when they smoked their first whole cigarette, 36.9 percent stated that they smoked their first cigarette before the age of 13.

According to the FDA, studies have shown that 17-year-old smokers are three times as likely to use flavored cigarettes as are smokers over the age of 25. A poll conducted in March 2008 found that one in five youngsters between the ages of 12 and 17 had seen flavored tobacco products or ads, while only one in 10 adults reported having seen them.

"We know that these flavored cigarettes were used as a way to draw in youth smokers," said Martinson. "Banning the flavored cigarettes is a positive step toward helping children, teens and young adults in America say no to cigarettes and yes to a healthier life."

The new law specifies that, "this special rule for cigarettes prohibits a cigarette or any of its component parts (including the tobacco, filter, or paper) from containing, as a constituent (including a smoke constituent) or additive, an artificial or natural flavor (other than tobacco or menthol) or an herb or spice, including strawberry, grape, orange, clove, cinnamon, pineapple, vanilla, coconut, licorice, cocoa, chocolate, cherry, or coffee, that is a characterizing flavor of the tobacco product or tobacco smoke. Menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars, cigarillos and other tobacco products are not included in the ban.

Any company that continues to make, ship or sell the flavored ciga-rettes may be Subject to FDA enforcement actions.

If you have questions about the new law contact Rolette County Public Health at 701-477-5646.

"Some young people have the misunderstanding that flavored cigarettes are not as harmful as regular cigarettes."

Judy Martinson, Rolette Co. Public Health



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© 2010 Turtle Mountain Star Rolla, North Dakota. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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