Flavored Tobacco Products (FTPs): A New-generation Gimmick in the Indian Market—A Narrative Review

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ABSTRACT Flavored tobacco products (FTPs) have gained global popularity but are associated with significant health concerns. These products, which include flavored cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes, hookahs, and nicotine dissolvable, come in a range of different flavors. For example, cigarettes come in a variety of flavors, including menthol, alcohol, spices, and herbs, which are more appealing to young adults, and fruit or candy, which are more appealing to kids. Despite the perceived safety of these flavorings for consumption, their toxicity remains largely unknown. Additionally, the deliberate promotion of FTPs by the tobacco industry in emerging nations such as India has hindered tobacco control efforts. The current review seeks to offer a thorough examination of additives used in tobacco, the various flavors found in emerging tobacco products, patterns of consumption, strategies employed in marketing, and the necessity for regulating these emerging tobacco products. A systematic review methodology was employed for this narrative review using relevant medical subject headings (MeSH) terms. The literature search was conducted between March 2022 and March 2023, utilizing databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, guidelines, advisory, survey reports, factsheets, editorial, communication, and news related to topic of interest. Pertinent articles were selected based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. The synthesized results illuminate the prevalence and usage of tobacco products with flavors in the market, effectively fulfilling the research objectives. Moreover, in addition to fulfilling the research objectives, the synthesized results offer valuable perspectives on how FTPs influence patterns of tobacco use, particularly among the younger population. These findings underscore the need for effective regulations and guidelines to curb the appeal and consumption of FTPs, ultimately reducing the prevalence of smoking-related disorders and promoting public health.