Clove Cigarettes Banned

In 2009, the Family smoking prevention and tobacco control act was introduced in the US Congress and signed into law by President Obama, giving the fda significantly more regulatory power over tobacco; one of the provisions in the law includes a ban on the use of flavors in tobacco, other than menthol. The ban includes kreteks. As of September 22, 2009, the clove cigarette was no longer legal to sell or distribute in the US, and cigarettes purchased overseas are subject to seizure by U.S. Customs.

A federal law passed in the United States in 2009 has made it illegal for tobacco shops and stores to carry cigarettes that contain flavors other than menthol. The law affects the Djarum Black cigarette brand, and has made it unavailable for purchase within the United States.

Now to purchase any type of kretek it must be classified as a cigar. The current Djarum Black cloves are now rolled in tobacco paper. As of 2010, in the United States Djarum Blacks are available again in smaller 12 pack cigars, which are much thicker than the cigarettes that come in 20 packs