FDA : Warning labels for cigars !

The Food and Drug Administration said last week it is moving forward on requiring warning labels on cigars. Six warning statements will be required of cigar manufacturers  beginning on May 10, 2018.

Manufacturers will have until May 10, 2017.

The warning statements are :

_This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical

 _Cigar smoking can cause cancers of the mouth and throat, even if you do not inhale

_Cigar smoking can cause lung cancer and heart disease

 _Cigars are not a safe alternative to cigarettes

 _Tobacco smoke increases the risk of lung cancer and heart disease, even in nonsmokers

 _Either cigar use while pregnant can harm you and your baby, or tobacco use increases the risk of infertility, stillbirth and low birth weight.

Until recently, cigars have been treated different from most tobacco products in terms of federal regulations, in large part by mandate from Congress.

Analysts say a Republican-controlled Congress and White House are more likely to remove restrictions from the tobacco industry than add to them.

For example, members of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee have told the FDA that “premium cigars have unique characteristics and cost-prohibitive price points and are not marketed to kids. Any effort to regulate cigars should take these items into consideration.”

To be continued….