The New York state Senate is considering a bill that would ban the sale of flavored cigarettes, which antismoking advocates say are designed to appeal to children, the Legislative Gazette reported June 19.

"It's a well-known fact that teenagers like sweet products," said Russell Sciandra, director of the Center for a Tobacco Free New York, who called on senators to support a proposal to ban cigarettes with candy, fruit, and liquor flavors.

Sciandra said even internal tobacco-industry documents show these cigarettes appeal to kids. "Cigarette designed for beginning smokers -- the cigarette would … contain an added flavor to make it easier for those who have never smoked before to acquire the taste for it more quickly," notes one R.J. Reynolds marketing document displayed by Sciandra. "This is the kind of thing that helps them get started," Sciandra said.

An R.J. Reynolds spokesperson said that sugar, cocoa, and licorice have been used for more than a century to flavor cigarettes. "We in no way market to underage youth," the spokesperson said. "Adult consumers came to us and said 'we want these.'"

The ban proposal has passed the New York state Assembly and is now awaiting a vote in the Senate. No other state has banned sales of flavored cigarettes, but up to 10 have considered such legislation. "We're hoping New York will become the first state to send a clear message to the tobacco companies that there really are limits on what they can do to recruit young children as new customers," Sciandra said.