In the United States, cheap flavored cigars are targeting young people and the black population

With the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) set to legislate on the issue, a report by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK) on cheap flavored cigars examines the marketing of these products designed to appeal to young people and specifically target the African-American population. CTFK calls on the FDA to immediately issue its decision to ban flavorings in tobacco products.

In the United States, sales of cigars, all categories combined, more than doubled between 2000 and 2021. This growth is mainly due to the development of the offer of flavored cigars, packaged in very colorful packaging and sold at attractive prices ("3 for 99 cents"). These three commercial arguments have ensured the success of cigars and cigarillos among young people, who are very sensitive to price and attracted by flavors.

In this country, flavored cigars have become the second best-selling tobacco and nicotine products, behind e-cigarettes and ahead of smoked cigarettes. 500,000 young people, particularly in the African-American population, regularly consume cigars and cigarillos in the United States and three-quarters of the cigars they smoke are flavored. 9,000 deaths are attributed to cigar use in this country each year.

Sweet aromas and attractive prices

The sales strategies for these flavored cigars are detailed in an updated report from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK)[1]. They are strongly reminiscent of those inaugurated in the past for the sale of cigarettes and updated today with new tobacco and nicotine products (electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco, nicotine pouches). The fruity and sweet flavors help reduce the harshness of tobacco and facilitate initiation and then regular use. They also instill the idea that the products concerned would be less harmful than they actually are.

The appeal of flavored cigars is supported by aggressive marketing: brightly colored packaging, intensive promotion on social networks, use of celebrities and influencers, sponsorship of concerts and events, derivative products. Added to this are low prices and the multiplication of promotional offers. Advertising in magazines and at points of sale completes this strategy and targets in particular the African-American public, as was also the case for other products. mentholated (smoked cigarettes, e-cigarettes). In middle school, young African-Americans now consume 1.5 times more flavored cigars than their white counterparts.

CTFK Urges FDA to Ban Flavored Products

It was in 2016 that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) brought all cigars under its control, whether classic, "premium" or flavored. In April 2022, the FDA issued a proposal aimed at banning characterizing aromas in cigars[2]. After extending the public comment period on the issue, the FDA is expected to soon submit regulations banning the use of flavorings in cigars and menthol in cigarettes. Many states and localities have preempted this rulemaking by banning flavorings in tobacco and nicotine products.

A first breach was made in this program with regard to the segment of "premium" cigars. After several years of proceedings, the manufacturers' associations obtained, first from a federal court in July 2022 and then from a district court in August 2023, that "premium" cigars escape supervision The FDA has appealed the decision. CTFK's report and campaign on flavored cigars support the FDA's rule, urging it to issue it.

Keywords: flavored cigars, premium cigars, FDA, CTFK, flavors, menthol.

©Tobacco Free Generation

M.F.

[1] Not Your Grandfather's Cigar, 2023 update, CTFK, published October 4, 2023, accessed October 5, 2023.

[2] FDA Proposes Rules Prohibiting Menthol Cigarettes and Flavored Cigars to Prevent Youth Initiation, Significantly Reduce Tobacco-Related Disease and Death, FDA, published April 28, 2022, accessed October 5, 2023.

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