WASHINGTON (November 6, 2009)--The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning several companies it says continue to sell banned flavored cigarettes to U.S. consumers online.

The agency sent letters to more than a dozen Web-based companies directing them to stop selling the products and asking the companies to describe in writing what action they have taken.

The FDA banned candy-, fruit- and clove-flavored cigarettes in September.

Federal health authorities and regulators said those products appeal especially to young people and are intended to attract new smokers.

The FDA won authority over some aspects of the tobacco industry in June and now ban certain products, limit nicotine allowed in others and regulate their marketing.