According to a report from Reason on November 2nd, the ban on flavored cigarettes and cigars is currently undergoing final review by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This ban, if implemented, will soon make it illegal to purchase or sell menthol and flavored tobacco products in the United States.
However, despite its efforts to combat illegal cigarettes, Brazil remains one of the largest cigarette markets in the world. The illicit cigarette market holds nearly half of the entire cigarette market, causing the Brazilian government to lose billions of dollars in law enforcement and tax revenue.
If Biden’s ban is successfully implemented, the flavored tobacco market could potentially become a new battleground. Once the ban takes effect, the previously legal markets for menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars will be left vacant, allowing criminals to meet the demand and further expand the illegal market. This will result in an increase in unregulated funds, more criminal syndicates, and a rise in street violence.
According to projections, the fragrance cigarette market is estimated to be worth around $10 billion, with expectations of reaching $23 billion by 2033. The Biden administration has stated that “there will be no turning back on this policy.
