Should Menthol Cigarettes Be Banned?
SodaHead News
2011/03/21 21:00:00
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Menthol cigarettes aren't more addictive than regular cigarettes but they could still be banned.
A federal advisory panel report said removing menthol cigarettes from the market would benefit public health, according to The New York Times. But the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee, possibly worried about litigation with tobacco companies, didn't recommend to the Food and Drug Administration that it restrict or ban the additive.
While no scientific evidence showed that menthol smokers inhaled more toxins or had an increased risk of disease compared with other smokers, there was evidence that the availability of menthol cigarettes made smoking more attractive to young people, African-Americans and other groups because the flavor was less harsh.
"This is the most conclusive scientific finding that menthol cigarettes dramatically increase youth tobacco use and make it more difficult for African-Americans to quit," Matthew L. Myers, president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, told the Times. "It creates a scientific record which compels F.D.A. to act."
Menthol was first added to cigarettes in the 1920s. Congress banned candy, fruit and spice flavoring in tobacco products but declined to take on menthols. It gave the F.D.A. broad authority to regulate the products in 2009.
The cigarettes are a multi-billion dollar industry. It accounts for more than a quarter of the $80 billion market, according to the Times. Menthols are preferred by more than 80 percent of black smokers, about 22 percent of non-Hispanic white smokers and nearly half of 12- to 17-year-old smokers, nearly 20 million smokers in all.
The F.D.A. said it would now open its own investigation and research into menthol cigarettes before deciding on what action to take.
A federal advisory panel report said removing menthol cigarettes from the market would benefit public health, according to The New York Times. But the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee, possibly worried about litigation with tobacco companies, didn't recommend to the Food and Drug Administration that it restrict or ban the additive.
While no scientific evidence showed that menthol smokers inhaled more toxins or had an increased risk of disease compared with other smokers, there was evidence that the availability of menthol cigarettes made smoking more attractive to young people, African-Americans and other groups because the flavor was less harsh.
"This is the most conclusive scientific finding that menthol cigarettes dramatically increase youth tobacco use and make it more difficult for African-Americans to quit," Matthew L. Myers, president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, told the Times. "It creates a scientific record which compels F.D.A. to act."
Menthol was first added to cigarettes in the 1920s. Congress banned candy, fruit and spice flavoring in tobacco products but declined to take on menthols. It gave the F.D.A. broad authority to regulate the products in 2009.
The cigarettes are a multi-billion dollar industry. It accounts for more than a quarter of the $80 billion market, according to the Times. Menthols are preferred by more than 80 percent of black smokers, about 22 percent of non-Hispanic white smokers and nearly half of 12- to 17-year-old smokers, nearly 20 million smokers in all.
The F.D.A. said it would now open its own investigation and research into menthol cigarettes before deciding on what action to take.
Read More: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/19/business/19tobac...
Top Opinion
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Beccy 2011/03/21 21:46:03No





















I'm sitting here right now, smoking a cigarette, (not a menthol) writing this. I'm not blowing it in anyone's face or offending them. If I choose to do this, it's my business and no one elses.
The Governments bullying of Americans that do smoke with enormous taxes is unfair to say the least. It's a blatant target pointed at a specific group of people because the choose to smoke. Why isn't there one for people the eat too much or too little, or people that spit everywhere, or gangs, or smell, or drink too much, or do illegal drugs, or buy too many shoes.
IT'S STUPID GUYS. GET A LIFE!!!!!
Think that says enough right there already!