US ban on menthol combustibles will go ahead ‘in the spring’ despite controversy

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has confirmed that a plan to ban menthol in combustible smoking products by the end of spring 2022 “remains on track”.

The move to initially ban menthol conventional cigarettes and then ban all characterising flavors (including menthol) in cigars could have a significant impact on alternative tobacco products which are not included in the ban and for which flavours remain, as yet, in play. It should be noted that Iqos is classified as a cigarette, which is key to understanding how it will be affected.