FDA Bans Sales of 4 Brands of Cigarettes

The Food and Drug Administration is ordering a ban on sales of four cigarette brands from RJ Reynolds because they do not meet the agency's safety review requirements. Under FDA rules, companies that launch new cigarettes must show that the products are essentially the same as older products in terms of health risks. The FDA said four brands from RJ Reynolds failed to show that they don't raise new safety concerns: Camel Crush Bold, Pall Mall Deep Set, Pall Mall Deep Set Menthol, and Vantage Tech 13.

In 2009 the FDA gained authority to regulate some aspects of cigarettes and other tobacco products. The agency can evaluate new tobacco products for their health risks and ban those that raise new or uncertain issues. The FDA action means it is illegal for retailers to sell or distribute the four cigarette brands. However, the agency said it will not take action for 30 days to give retailers time to dispose of the products. (More RJ Reynolds stories.)