Rutgers Expert Available to Discuss FDA’s Proposed Ban on Flavored Cigars and Menthol Cigarettes, Limiting Flavored E-Cigarette Sales to Youths
Newswise — New Brunswick, N.J. (Nov. 15, 2018) – Rutgers expert Cristine Delnevo is available to comment on the FDA’s plan to ban flavored cigars and menthol cigarettes and limit sales of flavored e-cigarettes to youths.
The agency’s proposal is a “major public health victory,” said Delnevo, director of the Center for Tobacco Studies at Rutgers School of Public Health and co-leader of the Cancer Prevention and Control Research Program at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey.
“While the rise in youth’s use of e-cigarettes and flavored e-cigarettes in particular may have accelerated agency action, the more important step is the FDA taking meaningful action on flavors in combustible tobacco products,” she said. “Menthol cigarettes are disproportionately smoked by young people, minorities and people with mental health conditions. Moreover, the data suggest menthol cigarettes facilitate starting to smoke, and make it harder to quit.”
Rutgers’ research has shown there is a clear age difference for preferring flavored cigars: Youth and young adults overwhelming prefer flavored cigars compared to older cigar smokers. “The FDA recognizes this and plans to ban flavors in all cigars to help reduce cigar use by young people. While these changes will take some time, as the FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb says, responsible manufacturers do not need to wait for the FDA to finalize these policies to act.”
Delnevo can be reached at 732-235-9746 or [email protected]
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