The AGD joined Tobacco Free Kids and other health and medical organizations in a letter urging the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to fulfill its commitment to issue rules prohibiting menthol as a characterizing flavor in cigarettes and all characterizing flavors in cigars.

The FDA is granted authority under the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (TCA) to issue product standards that could end the manufacture and sale of flavored tobacco products. Adolescents often initiate use of tobacco with flavored products, leading to lifelong unhealthy habits. Reports compiled by the FDA and the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee reviewed research and concluded that menthol cigarettes likely pose a greater public health risk than nonmenthol cigarettes and recommended their removal from the marketplace. In similar fashion, cigar flavors such as chocolate, cherry dynamite, and tropical twist have made cigars the second most popular tobacco product among high schoolers, particularly black youth.

AGD and other signees called on the FDA to adhere to its longstanding commitment to entirely science-based decision-making and stick to its previously announced intention to issue proposed rules prohibiting menthol as a characterizing flavor in cigarettes and all characterizing flavors in cigars.

Impact on General Dentistry: Removing flavored cigars and menthol cigarettes from the market is another critical effort to reduce tobacco usage in vulnerable populations. The link between tobacco use and adverse oral health conditions is well-founded. Implementing policies that reduce smoking is a sound practice for improving oral and systemic health.