By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    benefits of using protein powder to build muscles
    Protein Powder for Muscle Mass: Everything You Need to Know
    December 12, 2021
    changes brought on by blockchain in healthcare
    Technology In The Healthcare Industry
    March 28, 2022
    What Does Core Body Temperature Say About Health?
    August 17, 2022
    Latest News
    Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
    May 16, 2025
    Learn how to Renew your Medical Card in West Virginia
    May 16, 2025
    Choosing the Right Supplement Manufacturer for Your Brand
    May 1, 2025
    Engineering Temporary Hospitals for Extreme Weather
    April 24, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    FDA Approves Diabetes Pill
    May 2, 2011
    Patient Gets Drunk on Hand Sanitizer
    June 20, 2011
    Cultivating Health Improvement
    July 20, 2011
    Latest News
    Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
    May 18, 2025
    The Critical Role of Healthcare in Personal Injury Recovery: A Comprehensive Guide for Victims
    May 14, 2025
    The Backbone of Successful Trials: Clinical Data Management
    April 28, 2025
    Advancing Your Healthcare Career through Education and Specialization
    April 16, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: FDA Panel Weighs-in on Menthol Cigarettes
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Business > FDA Panel Weighs-in on Menthol Cigarettes
Business

FDA Panel Weighs-in on Menthol Cigarettes

GlennLaffel
Last updated: April 21, 2011 12:10 pm
GlennLaffel
Share
5 Min Read
SHARE

A federal panel advised the FDA last week that menthol cigarettes are more harmful to the public health than regular cigarettes. However, it did not recommend or endorse any actions the FDA should take to act on the advice.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=86lYG1V2-n4

 

More Read

Automation in Digital Credentialing
Is eCommerce Right for Your Health Business?
Choosing Wisely and Delivering Value in Obstetrics & Gynecology
Your Employees are Depressed. Why Employers and You Should Care
Beyond the Buzz: 7 Reasons Healthcare Professionals Should Blog

A federal panel advised the FDA last week that menthol cigarettes are more harmful to the public health than regular cigarettes. However, it did not recommend or endorse any actions the FDA should take to act on the advice.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=86lYG1V2-n4

 

According to the panel, menthol cigarettes drive-up cigarette smoking rates among youth and African-Americans because its minty taste attracts people to try cigarettes and makes it harder for them to quit. In addition, its mild anesthetic properties mask the harsh taste of cigarettes. That sensation might otherwise deter some from the habit before they get hooked. The report also cites evidence that consumers believe (incorrectly) that menthol provides some health protection or medicinal benefit.

“Removal of menthol cigarettes from the marketplace would benefit public health in the United States,” the panel’s report concludes.

The panel’s official name is the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee. Its report will likely trigger a lengthy test of the FDA’s ability to promulgate and enforce restrictions on cigarettes, nicotine and menthol. The FDA will review the report and other information before deciding what to do. It has no obligation to do anything.

Reaction to the report was mixed. Some saw it as a necessary first step toward an outright ban on menthol. Others were disappointed that the advisory group shied away from recommending steps the FDA might take to deal with the problem it identified. 

As Pizaazz readers know, Lorillard Tobacco had a keen interest in the panel’s report. Fully 90% of the Greensboro, NC, company’s revenue is derived from its Newport brand, which is the market-leading menthol cigarette (35% the market). Lorillard’s stock jumped 10% the day the panel released its report, and it has remained high. 

“This is a huge victory for Lorillard,” Michael Siegel said. The tobacco expert and BU professor added that the panel’s decision not to recommend any specific action, “swept the issue under the rug by giving the FDA an out.”

Menthol cigarette sales account for about 27% of the highly profitable $80 billion US cigarette market. More than 19 million people smoke menthols in the US. A disproportionate number of these people are black, low income and young. Specifically, 80% of African-American smokers and nearly half of all smokers between the ages of 12-17 light-up menthols. By contrast, 22% of whites select menthols.

For his part, panel chairman Jonathan Samet, insisted his group actually did make a recommendation, citing the following statement from the report:  “Removal of menthol cigarettes from the marketplace would benefit public health in the United States.”

“To me that speaks quite clearly to what our recommendation is,” Samet said in an interview. “The statement about removal is what the public health recommendation is, and I think how one achieves that outcome depends on the strategies available to the FDA under the law. I’ll be watching with interest what the FDA does next.”

How this will shake out
Sadly, the FDA is unlikely to seek an all-out ban on menthol. The move would prompt years of expensive, distracting litigation for the agency. Oh, and according to UBS industry analyst Nik Modi, state and federal governments rake-in nearly $43 billion per year in cigarette excise taxes…a good chunk of this revenue could be lost if menthol smokers began purchasing their favorite smokes on the black market. Look for the FDA to initiate several years-worth of additional studies, and for fun, check out which members of congress get campaign contributions from Lorillard and other cigarette companies.

TAGGED:menthol cigarettes
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

Do You Grind Your Teeth at Night? Here’s How Night Guards and TMJ Treatments Can Help
Do You Grind Your Teeth at Night? Here’s How Night Guards and TMJ Treatments Can Help
Dental health
May 21, 2025
The Secret To A Confident Smile: Top Tips For Better Teeth
The Secret To A Confident Smile: Top Tips For Better Teeth
Dental health
May 21, 2025
Clinical Expertise
Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
Health care
May 18, 2025
Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
Health
May 15, 2025

You Might also Like

Prime Healthcare Billing Processes Under Question as 25% of Medicare Patients are Showing Malnutrition- Profit Algorithms?

February 20, 2011
patient flow team huddle and physician leadership
Business

Physician Leadership, Patient Flow and the BID Team Huddle

July 24, 2012

Using Web Technology for Patient Referrals

December 15, 2013
Best ways to increase patients for doctors
Business

How To Increase Patients? Think Like A Patient (5 Quick Ideas)

July 12, 2012
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?