California = Everybody

A recent Senate bill, introduced on May 20, will be doing something California didn't even want to do: limit tobacco products. In reading the bill, you will notices this tidbit in Section 907.a.1:

A cigarette or any of its component parts (including the tobacco, filter, or paper) shall not contain, as a constituent (including a smoke constituent) or additive, an artificial or natural flavor (other than tobacco or menthol) or an herb or spice, including strawberry, grape, orange, clove, cinnamon, pineapple, vanilla, coconut, licorice, cocoa, chocolate, cherry, or coffee, that is a characterizing flavor of the tobacco product or tobacco smoke. Nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed to limit the Secretary's authority to take action under this section or other sections of this Act applicable to menthol or any artificial or natural flavor, herb, or spice not specified in this paragraph.

Phillip Morris is backing this bill as well. Interestingly, menthol cigarettes are specifically included. My favorite on here is Clove. All the rest of the flavors are interesting, but clove, the choice for goths, is the most interesting as nobody really cares for them all that much. Many people regard cloves as harsh, even though they smoke them.

The bill is supposed to keep cigarettes tasting like tobacco, instead of flavors like Kool's new flavors from Brown and Williamson, so kids do not start smoking them, especially for their smooth flavors. Hrm. Are tobacco lobbyists using government legislature to do their competition work for them? Sounds like a raw deal to me.

Another article on it.