They go together like …?
Jump to full article: Eugene (OR) Register-Guard, 2009-09-26
Intro: Is there a symbiotic relationship between candy and cigarettes? It almost seems so.
The ties that bind these oral temptations were in the news again this month when the Food and Drug Administration banned the sale of flavored cigarettes. It was the agency’s first big move since Congress authorized it, within limits, to regulate tobacco products.
Many are not even aware that they make cigarettes with strawberry, chocolate or other flavoring. At one point, R.J. Reynolds put out Twista Lime, Kauai Kolada and Warm Winter Toffee as part of its Camel Exotic Blends. Yuck.
But some younger people think these things are great. “These flavored cigarettes are a gateway for many children and young adults to become regular smokers,” FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg said. . . .
Another example of mixing tobacco and sugar was brought to our attention by Oregon’s junior senator, Jeff Merkley. When he was visiting several weeks ago, he pulled out a tin of candies, each containing a small amount of dissolvable tobacco.
This product has been test- marketed in several places around the country, including Portland. Merkley and Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio won unanimous Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee approval of an amendment directing the FDA to refer to the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee “the issue of the nature and impact of the use of dissolvable tobacco products on the public health, including such use among children.” Their amendment was attached to the bill granting the FDA authority to regulate tobacco products. . . .
That is not the kind of innovation America needs to stay competitive in the age of globalization.
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