Not so fast, Bloomberg, say two major tobacco companies that filed a lawsuit against the city. U.S. Smoking Tobacco Manufacturing Co. and U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Brands are asking a federal judge to overturn New York City’s ban on flavored tobacco, scheduled to take effect Feb. 25.
The suit claims that New York City is subject to federal laws on flavored tobacco, and does not have the power to “impose such sweeping regulation of tobacco products.”
While the Food and Drug Administration bans candy-, fruit- and clove-flavored cigarettes, the city’s version of the law is much more restrictive: Chocolate, vanilla, honey, cocoa, dessert, alcoholic beverage, herb or spice flavors are also all banned, and the law extends to cigars and chewing tobacco.
Menthol and mint-flavored tobacco is still permitted in New York City.
