Hearing Friday On Flavored Tobacco Regulations

FDA Examines Menthol Cigarettes, With Possible Ban In Sight — Brenda Wisehart smokes a menthol cigarette in front of a Quick Stop store on March 30, 2010 in Miami, Florida. Today in Washington, DC a public hearing began before a committee of outside experts that advises the Food and Drug Administration as they weigh the evidence of menthol's impact on smokers' use and health. The FDA could eventually ban or phase out the menthol cigarettes that some experts say can be more enticing and possibly addicting than regular cigarettes.

By Matt Murphy | State House News Service

April 22, 2020

The Department of Public Health will hold a hearing on Friday on new regulations restricting the sale of flavored tobacco products, including mint and menthol cigarettes, to smoking bars for on-premise consumption.

The restrictions were part of a law signed by Gov. Charlie Baker in November banning the widespread sale of flavored nicotine products, including electronic vaping products. DPH plans to host a moderated conference call on Friday at 10 a.m. to solicit feedback, and has asked that all speakers also provide written copies of their testimony.

The tobacco restrictions go into effect in June.

The draft regulations include a requirement for retailers other than smoking bars to obtain documentation from a product's manufacturer certifying that their products do not meet the new definitions of flavored tobacco products or enhancers.
The rules would also prohibit retailers located within 500 feet of a school from displaying any promotional or advertising material for tobacco products.