Russia already has a wide-ranging embargo on food imports from the EU, banning fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy produce and other important foods.
The bill would ban candy, fruit and spice-flavored cigarettes, including clove cigarettes, but menthol cigarettes would be exempt from the ban.
The legislation, which has been cleared by crucial committees in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, would ban candy, fruit and spice flavorings in cigarettes, but specifically exempts menthol flavorings.
Russia imposed a ban on fruit and vegetables from Poland on 1 August, before announcing the EU-wide ban.
The 43-member caucus is taking aim at a provision in the bill that would ban candy-, fruit- and spice-flavored cigarettes but that specifically exempts menthol.
Atkins banned even fruit juices, and permitted only a modicum of vegetables, although the latter were negotiable as the diet progressed.
While Congress banned candy, fruit and spice flavoring in tobacco products, it deferred tackling the difficult issue of menthol to the F.D.A. when it gave the agency broad authority to regulate tobacco products under a new law passed in 2009.
Russia banned all fruit and vegetable imports from one of its most vocal critics, Poland, in July.
The American law banned candy-, fruit- and spice-flavored cigarettes but left the issue of menthol to the F.D.A. Congress questioned whether menthol contributed to smoking initiation or deterred quitting.
