Senators Introduce Legislation to Restrict the Sale of Flavored Tobacco Products Targeted to Youth

Washington, D.C. – Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) introduced legislation today that would prohibit the sale of most flavored tobacco products targeted to youth. While the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act of 2009 prohibited the use of flavors in cigarettes, except for menthol, flavors have flourished in other combustible, non-combustible and smokeless tobacco products in recent years.

A statement from Chris Hansen, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), regarding the introduction of the legislation follows:

“We know that candy and fruit-flavored tobacco products are a tool Big Tobacco uses to lure our nation’s youth into a lifetime of addiction. The rising trend of adolescent use of flavored tobacco products, especially in e-cigarettes and cigars, is troubling and must be addressed. We commend Senators Durbin and Murkowski for their leadership in introducing this legislation and helping protect kids from the industry’s deadly marketing practices.

"We urge Congress to move swiftly to pass this legislation. Stopping the tobacco industry from hooking another generation of Americans on their deadly products should be a top priority for lawmakers and ACS CAN looks forward to working in support of this legislation.  We will also continue to press the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to end menthol flavoring in cigarettes, which is known to play a damaging role in youth initiation of smoking.”

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