Court upholds New York City ban on flavored smokeless tobacco products

The Altria Group has lost a bid to block a 2009 New York City law banning the sale of flavored smokeless tobacco products except in tobacco bars, according to a CSP (Convenience Store/Petroleum) story quoting a Bloomberg report.

The US appeals court in New York on Tuesday upheld a lower-court ruling that rejected arguments by two Altria units, US Smokeless Tobacco Manufacturing and US Smokeless Tobacco Brands, that the city’s measure was pre-empted by federal law.

Brian May, a spokesperson for Altria, was quoted as saying that the company was disappointed with the court’s decision and was considering its options.