By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health 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
    HIPPA compliance
    How Medical Office Staff Can Make Your Practice HIPAA Compliant
    October 29, 2021
    Everything you need to know about hyaluronic acid treatment
    Everything you need to know about hyaluronic acid treatment
    February 10, 2022
    Which Mushroom Capsules Are Good for Your Health?
    May 5, 2022
    Latest News
    6 Essential Strategies for Improving Your Medical Practice
    January 25, 2023
    Staying Positive While Living with Mesothelioma
    January 24, 2023
    The Many Health Benefits of Being Outdoors
    January 17, 2023
    How to Assess a Safe Placement of a Nasogastric or Nasoenteric Tube and Its Complications
    January 19, 2023
  • 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
    five star quality rating
    Hospital Selfies and Stars: Patients Look Deeper Than HCAHPS
    June 9, 2015
    Woman Makes Horrifying Discovery Through Ancestry DNA Test
    December 15, 2018
    12 Common IRO Questions Answered
    September 28, 2015
    Latest News
    Simplifying the Genetic Testing Process: How At-Home Kits are Changing the Game
    January 25, 2023
    9 Hospitals That Have Introduced Green Initiatives
    January 25, 2023
    Why a Health Retreat Can Be the Best Medicine
    January 12, 2023
    Best Money-Saving Tips for Health Managers
    January 12, 2023
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: FDA Panel Weighs-in on Menthol Cigarettes
Share
Sign In
Notification Show More
Latest News
ABA therapist
Everything You Need to Know About Applied Behavior Analysis
Health
Small Lifestyle Changes That Can Have A Big Impact On Your Well-Being
lifestyle Wellness
The Future Of Medicine: How Immunotherapy Is Saving Lives
The Future Of Medicine: How Immunotherapy Is Saving Lives
Technology
medical practice and technology advancement
6 Essential Strategies for Improving Your Medical Practice
Technology
digital dental x-ray
How Does A Digital Dental X-Ray Work?
Dental health
Aa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Aa
Search
Have an existing account? Sign In
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: 2011/04/21 at 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

should nurse practitioner forms an LLC

Should Nurse Practitioners Form an LLC?

Maximizing Outcomes Through Effective Patient Engagement Strategies
Robotic Technologies Can Improve Hospital Working Conditions
How to Attract More Clients to your Wellness Business
Why Work With A Healthcare Recruitment Agency & How To Choose One

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

Sign Up For Daily Newsletter

Be keep up! Get the latest breaking news delivered straight to your inbox.
By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
GlennLaffel April 21, 2011
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Copy Link Print
Share
Previous Article Are Decision Support Tools Turning Doctors into Idiots?
Next Article Medicaid Expansion a Real Budget-Buster

Stay Connected

1.5k Followers Like
4.5k Followers Follow
2.8k Followers Pin
136k Subscribers Subscribe

Latest News

ABA therapist
Everything You Need to Know About Applied Behavior Analysis
Health January 26, 2023
Small Lifestyle Changes That Can Have A Big Impact On Your Well-Being
lifestyle Wellness January 26, 2023
The Future Of Medicine: How Immunotherapy Is Saving Lives
The Future Of Medicine: How Immunotherapy Is Saving Lives
Technology January 26, 2023
medical practice and technology advancement
6 Essential Strategies for Improving Your Medical Practice
Technology January 25, 2023

You Might also Like

green hospitals
Hospital Administration

9 Hospitals That Have Introduced Green Initiatives

January 20, 2023
saving money in healthcare
BusinessGlobal HealthcareHospital Administration

Best Money-Saving Tips for Health Managers

January 12, 2023
HR staff must deal with divisive views in healthcare
BusinessGlobal HealthcareHospital AdministrationPolicy & Law

HR Must Navigate Polarizing Views in Healthcare Workplaces

January 4, 2023
cybersecurity options for hospitals
BusinessHospital Administration

Should Hospitals Use SASE or Traditional Network Security?

January 4, 2023
//

We influence million of users and is the most authentic source of information on healthcare business and technology news.

Quick Links

  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Subscribe

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

Follow US

© 2008-2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.

Removed from reading list

Undo
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?