Clove cigarettes now illegal, rebranded as legal cigar

Today clove cigarettes, kreteks, were made illegal thanks for our friends at the FDA.

However, the largest kretek manufacturer is now going to sell them as cigars, which is permitted under the new legislation: cigars are exempt from these regulations.

What this means, is that they will come in a pack of 12 instead of 20 and will likely be bit thicker.

FDA Warns on Acetaminophen

The FDA is moving to ban vicodin and percocet, drugs that mix narcotics with acetaminophen, also known as paracetamol which is the active ingredient in Tylenol. While one of the most commonly used over the counter medicines in the United States. it is also one of the most deadly.

I do not have any Tylenol (or generic equivalents) in my house for good reason: it is very easy to accidentally overdose on it. Even taking the recommended dosage can lead someone to have liver problems, especially if mixed with even a drop of alcohol, even if the alcohol was consumed a day before. Aspirin and Ibuprofen are safer in regards to the liver.

Zicam Banned

Zicam, a popular cold remedy that also has many generic versions, has been banned by the FDA today, after many years of up to 130 people complaining that they have permanently lost their smell. I have used this product in the past, and did not suffer these symptoms, but I used it as directed, which said do not inhale it, merely coat the interior of your nose.

I've since switched to using the oral mist version, which is not affected by the ban. The FDA also claims that this product does not work at all, and I can't prove otherwise. It is always difficult to prove efficacy when it comes to medicine, although some studies have been promising for this zinc compound.

Matrixx Initiatives, the makers of the product, saw their stock drop 70% today.

New Law would make Clove Cigarettes Illegal

The new bill, HR 1108 would make Clove cigarettes illegal, as well as cigarettes containing any flavor that is not menthol.  These changes, in an effort to "save the children" further take away consumer choice.  

This slippery slope could possibly later be applied to cigars, banning Acid cigars and Al Capone's.  

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(1) SPECIAL RULE FOR CIGARETTES- 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.