Flavored Cigarettes Go Up in Smoke

September 11th, 2009 |

With each drag, clove cigarettes and an assortment of flavored tobacco products are slowly beginning to disappear as a result of the Family Smoking Prevention and Control Act.

This new law, signed by President Barack Obama on June 22, 2009, gives the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the power to regulate tobacco products. The FDA’s new role enables them to enforce a national ban on all flavored tobacco products including cigarettes, blunt wraps and “little cigars.” Coming this October, stores around the country will no longer be stocking up on flavored tobacco products.

Vanilla, mocha, and clove-flavored tobacco products drown the harsh quality of cigarettes in a deceitful blend of artificial savor. “It helps you smoke tobacco, when you don’t like smoking tobacco,” shared Andrew McMullen, a student at HSU. Recalling his first time buying cigarettes, McMullen revealed with a telling smile that despite the fact that he hated tobacco, he purchased a pack of cloves.

For Rachel Garcia, an HSU Business major, cloves acquired their initial appeal due to the simple fact that her non-smoker friends were not as offended by the habit. Sitting in a patch of shade, a sweet cinnamon trail of smoke pulsed from her Djarum special as Garcia spoke of the positive impact the ban will have on her life.

“It’ll be a relief when I don’t need them anymore,” she said with a delicate sincerity. Referring to smoking as an “occupation of time,” the new ban will give her an opportunity to quit altogether.

Under the law, the FDA also holds a unique power over the tobacco industry by restricting the marketing and advertisement aspect. Phrases that imply a more health conscious cigarette such as “light,” “low tar” or “mild” will no longer be used on cartons or ads. In addition, the FDA will now have the ability to alter the tar and nicotine levels and is requiring tobacco companies to reveal the amount of additives within their products.

The overall intention behind this bill is to create a greater drift between the intrigue of smoking and children. According to the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, 80 percent of young smokers choose three heavily marketed brands, while 54 percent of adult smokers buy these same brands.

The tobacco industry has been accused of marketing to children in the past. In 2006, USA v. Philip Morris found that major U.S. cigarette companies continually market to minors.
But an interesting exception to the law is menthols, which are the only flavored cigarettes that remain unscathed by the new law. Ironically, menthol flavored cigarettes are also the most profitable flavor, making up 27 percent of the cigarette market. Although menthols are not in the clear just yet, according to Reuters they are going to be pursued with special interest by the FDA. Studies regarding the effects of menthols are planned and the results could ultimately lead to menthols being included in the ban after all.

“I didn’t feel it was a personal affront,” responded Bionca Johnston-Marquez, an HSU student and casual smoker who preferred cloves, when asked her initial reaction to the ban. Although a clear division has spanned the American public. To some, this law is a genuine attempt by the government to prevent children from forming smoking habits at such a young age and hopefully not at all. While other individuals see this national ban as a breach of their rights as an American and don’t want the government to have control over tobacco products.

A recent Gallup Poll revealed that 46 percent of adult Americans support the law, while 52 percent oppose it. Yet, with time, people may begin to embrace a new infringement of the government and the days of the strawberry blunt will simply be a distant memory.

SOURCE:

http://www.thejackonline.org/news/flavored-cigarettes-go-up-in-smoke-1.1869260