US: Appeals Court Upholds City Ban on Flavored Tobacco Products

Source from:  New York Daily News 02/27/2013

The tobacco industry has lost its appeal to extinguish the city's ban on flavored tobacco products.

The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Tuesday affirmed a lower court's decision upholding a city ordinance that limits the sale of the products.

The U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Manufacturing Company LLC, whose brands include Copenhagen and Skoal, and U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Brands Inc. were seeking to overturn the ban. The City Council banned flavored tobacco to try and reduce teen smoking. Signed into law in October 2009, the tobacco ordinance prohibits the sale of any flavored tobacco product except in a tobacco bar.
 
"The city remains committed to protecting children and young adults from these harmful products disguised with sweet flavors and brightly colored packaging," Speaker Christine Quinn said. Enditem