Tobacco Company Sues to Block Flavored Cigar Ban

The leading maker of clove cigarettes has gone to court in a bid to prevent the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from imposing a ban on cigars flavored with cloves, fruit, or other flavorings, the Wall Street Journal reported Sept. 24.

Kretek International is asking the courts to block FDA from imposing a ban on its Djarum clove and flavored cigars. FDA has banned flavored cigarettes and warned manufacturers against seeking to circumvent the ban with similar flavored products, such as mini cigars.

The new FDA tobacco-regulation law allows the agency to regulate cigars if such rules are issued, and FDA officials say the agency also may regulate certain cigars that fall under the broad definition of cigarettes.