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Clove Cigarettes Banned: Enter Clove 'Small Cigars'

FDA, importer disagree over definition of a cigarette

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 27, 2009 4:05 PM CDT
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(Newser) – For one California importer of smokes, an awful lot has come to rest on the precise definition of a cigar. After a ban on clove cigarettes went into effect last month, Kretek International slyly began importing Djarum-brand clove “small cigars." They're quite similar to Djarum’s clove cigarettes, though they come in a box of 12—not 20—and are labeled as cigars. The FDA has warned against such steps to sidestep the ban.

In response, Kretek filed a complaint with the regulator, accusing it of "deliberately obfuscating" the "definition of cigarette," the Wall Street Journal reports. "If a product is a cigar, it is not a cigarette and vice versa," says the complaint. "Kretek contends that Djarum cigars are cigars"—though the label promises "a smoking experience you have come to expect." A House panel has begun its own investigation into the battle of semantics.

In this photo made Aug. 18, 2009, Djarum Black cigars, left, and cigarettes are shown in Richmond, Va.
In this photo made Aug. 18, 2009, Djarum Black cigars, left, and cigarettes are shown in Richmond, Va.   (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
In this photo made Aug. 18, 2009, Djarum Black cigars, left, and cigarettes are shown in Richmond, Va.
In this photo made Aug. 18, 2009, Djarum Black cigars, left, and cigarettes are shown in Richmond, Va.   (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 31 comments
Panditya
Nov 3, 2010 6:03 AM CDT
you can still buy them on line. it will probably take a awhile to get trough customs and you shouldn’t buy a lot at one time or close together or else customs might put a hold on your orders but if you only get a cartoon or two every once in a while you should be fine. http://www.indonesia-cigarettes.com/ this is a pretty good site. they have a lot of different brands and you can even get individual packs to try them.
Panditya
Nov 3, 2010 6:03 AM CDT
you can still buy them on line. it will probably take a awhile to get trough customs and you shouldn’t buy a lot at one time or close together or else customs might put a hold on your orders but if you only get a cartoon or two every once in a while you should be fine. http://www.indonesia-cigarettes.com/ this is a pretty good site. they have a lot of different brands and you can even get individual packs to try them.
Guest
Nov 2, 2009 4:37 AM CST
I have smoked cloves since I was 20. I didn't start smoking at all til I was 19. I know there's peer pressure and the like, but I needed to know on my own what cigarettes were. They started off as medicinal. I stopped smoking everything but cloves. They are my dessert-an occasional treat that I enjoy from time to time. I am what I would consider a responsible smoker. Why am I being punished for a bunch of irresponsible smokers and parents that don't know how to keep their children in line?

 
FDA • smoking • tobacco • anti-smoking • cigars • flavored cigarettes

 

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