Health experts accuse US FDA of taking ‘backward step’ over VLN cigarettes

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s marketing authorisation of two low-nicotine cigarettes as modified risk tobacco products – including a menthol cigarette – has not gone down well with public health associations or all harm reduction advocates.

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) fears the acceptance of 22nd Century Group’s VLN King and VLN Menthol King combustible filtered cigarettes as MRTPs is a step backwards for the protection of public health.

The association urged the agency to ban flavours in all tobacco products, including menthol in cigarettes, and to issue a product standard to make all cigarettes non-addictive.