In recent years, the federal government has been taking steps to reduce the use of flavored tobacco products, particularly among young people. In April of this year, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it would be implementing new product standards to prohibit menthol flavors in cigarettes and other flavorings in cigars. This ban would undoubtedly reduce access to these addictive products, which attract consumers with the same flavors that the FDA has already begun to regulate in vapor products. In Nevada, compliance checks conducted by the Nevada Attorney General's Office and the FDA revealed a 30 percent failure rate among retailers that sell tobacco products to young people, and many of them sell flavored cigars and menthol cigarettes.
Tobacco flavorings and vaping products, including menthol, make smoking easier because they taste good and make it easier to inhale the products. The state of Nevada also imposes a special 30 percent tax on the wholesale price of all vaping products. In addition, regulations require wholesalers to provide information on the quantity of cigarettes held or controlled for sale or distribution outside the borders of the state, as well as components of such products or devices, whether or not sold separately. The Department of Health and Human Services must consider the effect of any suspension or revocation of a license on the inventory of cigarettes or other tobacco products that are in circulation at the time of suspension or revocation. Furthermore, wholesalers are prohibited from selling, offering or possessing cigarettes for sale in Nevada from a tobacco product manufacturer, family of brands or style not included in the directory. It is clear that there are restrictions on the use of flavored tobacco products in Clark County Nevada. The FDA's ban on menthol flavors in cigarettes and other flavorings in cigars will help reduce access to these addictive products.
In addition, wholesalers must provide information on the quantity of cigarettes held or controlled for sale or distribution outside the borders of the state, as well as components of such products or devices. Furthermore, wholesalers are prohibited from selling, offering or possessing cigarettes for sale in Nevada from a tobacco product manufacturer, family of brands or style not included in the directory. These restrictions are important for protecting public health and reducing access to flavored tobacco products. It is essential that retailers comply with these regulations to ensure that young people are not able to purchase these addictive products.
