FDA Exercises Tobacco Regulation for First Time—Rejects Four Products, Approves Two

FDA Exercises Tobacco Regulation for First Time—Rejects Four Products, Approves Two

For the first time, the federal government has exercised its authority to approve and reject tobacco products, which it had been granted under a 2009 law.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced this week that it had authorized the sale of two new makes of cigarettes, both of them by the Lorillard Tobacco Company.

The FDA also rejected four other new tobacco products, but was prevented from releasing any information about them due to the law’s guidelines.

Under the law, the agency is allowed to reject tobacco products that experts say pose public health risks above and beyond comparable products already on the market. It can also limit ingredients, like nicotine, in cigarettes and other products.

...

Some observers noted the fact that the products approved were both non-menthol may have been instrumental in the FDA’s decision. The banning of the menthol additive is something that the agency is reportedly considering.

http://www.allgov.com/news/top-stories/fda-exercises-tobacco-regulation-for-first-timerejects-four-products-approves-two-130627?news=850412