FDA warns about flavored cigarettes sales

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9 (UPI) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says it has issued warning letters to online companies selling flavored cigarettes in the United States.

FDA officials said the warning letters order the companies to stop marketing and selling the products. Failure to do so may result in additional regulatory actions such as seizure or injunction. In addition, FDA requested a written response from each of the companies within 15 days outlining the corrective actions taken.

"Enforcement of the flavored cigarette ban is FDA's effort to remove cigarettes that contain certain candy or fruit flavors from the marketplace," the federal agency said in a statement. "Removal of these products from the market will assist in the prevention of children and adolescents from starting to smoke and in the reduction in death and disease caused by smoking."

The warning letters are available at http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/EnforcementActions/WarningLetters/default.htm#recent.