On Sept. 22, in accordance to the Eshoo Law, all flavored cigarettes will be illegal. This includes fruit flavored cigarettes, vanilla, chocolate, cinnamon and clove.
But not menthol? Of course not. Major tobacco industries have been lobbying to rid the nation of flavored and clove cigarettes for years because, well, they are losing money to them. Major companies like Phillip Morris don’t distribute flavored cigarettes (for the most part) in the U.S., except menthol flavors. However, clove cigarettes are imported mainly from Indonesia.
The reason cited for the bill is to discourage underaged smoking. The lawmakers say they feel that flavored cigarettes appeal more to underaged smokers and people who never smoked before. If this is true, then why are menthol cigarettes still legal? Because menthol cigarettes make up about a quarter of $52 billion in annual sales for Phillip-Morris alone. It’s pocket change to lobby for this bill to be passed in order to protect their interests. Aside from that, the U.S. has its own hind-ends to look after. Even though Congresswoman Virginia Foxx stated this is a clear violation of WTO.
“According to WTO rules . . . an imported ‘good’ (clove cigarettes) should receive treatment that is ‘no less favorable than that provided to a domestic good.’”
Well now what? The law is passed, and really there isn’t much that we can do. Let’s just hope the right decisions are made not based on the interests of certain people’s wallets.