On April 28, FDA announced proposed product standards to prohibit menthol as a characterizing flavor in cigarettes and to prohibit all characterizing flavors (other than tobacco) in cigars. The public may provide comments on these proposed rules through July 5. 

Menthol Product Standard

Menthol is a flavor additive with a minty taste and aroma that is widely used in consumer and medicinal products due to its reported cooling or painkilling properties.

Menthol’s flavor and sensory effects make menthol cigarettes more appealing and easier to use particularly among new tobacco users, such as youth and young adults. It also interacts with nicotine in the brain to enhance nicotine’s addictive effects and makes it more difficult for people to quit smoking.

The proposed menthol product standard would:

• Reduce the appeal of cigarettes, particularly to youth and young adults, decreasing the likelihood that nonusers who would otherwise experiment with menthol cigarettes would progress to regular smoking.
• Improve the health and reduce the mortality risk of current menthol cigarette smokers by decreasing cigarette consumption and increasing the likelihood of cessation.
• Advance health equity by addressing tobacco-related health disparities. 

Comment on Proposed Menthol Product Standard

Flavored Cigar Product Standard

A cigar is a roll of tobacco wrapped in leaf tobacco or in a substance that contains tobacco. They vary in size—from smaller cigars, such as little filtered cigars or cigarillos, to larger ones, such as large so-called premium cigars. Characterizing flavors in cigars, such as strawberry, grape, cocoa and fruit punch increase appeal and make cigars more popular and easier to use by youth and young adults.

When finalized, this product standard would:

• Reduce the appeal of cigars, particularly to youth and young adults, and decrease the likelihood of experimentation, development of nicotine dependence, and progression to regular use.
• Improve public health by increasing the likelihood that existing cigar smokers may quit.
• Advance health equity by addressing tobacco-related health disparities.