Chicago – Attorney General Lisa Madigan, along with eight other attorneys general, filed comments urging the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) to ban flavored tobacco products in e-cigarettes, little cigars and other non-combustible products, which have been repeatedly shown to lead middle- and high-school students to begin tobacco use at a young age.
On March 21, the FDA issued an Advance Notice in order to solicit information related to the role that flavoring tobacco plays in the use of tobacco products. As part of this rulemaking process, the FDA is seeking comments, data, research and other results regarding flavored tobacco and its impact on certain populations. Madigan and the other attorneys general are urging a complete ban of flavors in all tobacco products.
“With a variety of sweet, candy and fruity flavors, it is no surprise that young people are drawn to these tobacco products,” said Madigan. “Nicotine is harmful no matter how it is consumed, and flavored tobacco products should be banned entirely.”
The comments filed by Madigan and the other attorneys general urge the FDA to ban the use of flavors in all tobacco products in light of research that shows flavored tobacco products are appealing to youth and lead them to begin using the products at a young age. The majority of middle- and high-school students who use e-cigarettes, cigars, or hookah use flavored tobacco products. The use of tobacco products put youth and young adults at a greater risk for developing coronary artery disease, cancer and other tobacco-related diseases. In addition, menthol-flavored tobacco products are more likely to pose a greater public health risk than non-menthol flavored tobacco products. Menthol cigarettes use is higher in both youth and minority populations.
In 2009, Congress enacted the Tobacco Control Act (TCA), which effectively banned cigarettes that contained flavors other than tobacco or menthol and granted the FDA the authority to regulate tobacco products. The TCA was passed in order to reduce the number of youth who smoke and become addicted to tobacco products. Madigan and the other attorneys general urge the FDA to follow in the footsteps of Congress and ban all flavors in other tobacco products, such as e-cigarettes, little cigars and other non-combustible tobacco products.
Joining Madigan in sending the letter were the attorneys general of Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.