Background

Approximately 80% of young people who use tobacco products started with a flavored variety. Flavored tobacco and vape products, including menthol, are often more appealing compared to unflavored option. Starting to smoke at a young age raises the risk of developing a nicotine addiction and experiencing smoking-related health problems earlier in life.

With over 15,000 unique flavors available, many of which are high in nicotine and inexpensive, these products are particularly attractive to youth and young adults. Although the Nevada Youth Risk Behavior Survey shows a decline in vaping among high school students from 17.5% in 2021 to 15.1% in 2023, the appeal of flavored products remains a significant concern.

Flavoring Ban

In 2009, the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) prohibited the sale of flavored cigarettes (excluding menthol) in the United States by signing the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. Unfortunately, menthol cigarettes, as well as flavored vapor products, cigars, hookahs, and chewing tobacco, were still permitted. In 2020, the sale of flavored pods and cartridges, except for tobacco and menthol flavors, was banned; however, this restriction did not apply to tanks, e-liquids, disposables, or other tobacco products. In 2021, the FDA announced a plan to restrict menthol as a characterizing flavor (a smell or taste other than tobacco) in cigarettes and to ban all characterizing flavors, including menthol, in cigars. However, in April 2024, the current Administration announced an indefinite delay in implementing these rules.

Attracting Addiction

Attracting Addiction NV is Nevada’s response to the flavoring epidemic that has led many youths and young adults to initiate tobacco and vape use. The initiative focuses on:

  • Educating the public about predatory marketing practices in the tobacco industry
  • Increasing awareness of the harm associated with flavored tobacco and vape products
  • Preventing initiation of tobacco and vape use among youth and adults
  • Rallying support for banning all characterizing flavors in tobacco and vapor products
  • Encouraging smoking cessation

To learn more about this issue, and find help quitting visit attractingaddictionnv.com