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New York City Postpones Flavored Tobacco Ban

NEW YORK -- A law here banning all flavored tobacco products except for menthol, which was scheduled to go into effect Feb. 26, has been delayed, reported CigarAficionado.com.

Cigar Association of America (CAA) President, Norman Sharp, told the Web site the U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. filed suit in federal court against the city Jan. 26, arguing that in the case of tobacco, federal law outlined by the FDA trumps local law.

In addition, the CAA wrote to the NYC Departments of Consumer Affairs, and Health and Mental Hygiene -- the agencies charged with enforcing the ban -- stating the law does not address how retailers and distributors are to determine whether or not products are legal.

The city responded by sending a letter to the district court judge presiding over the lawsuit. The letter says the city is delaying enforcement of the ban until rules can be established, which likely won't be before early April, according to the report.

The ban, once it takes effect, would prohibit the sale of flavored cigars, cigarettes, chewing tobacco and pipe tobacco.

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