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Menthols May Be Added to Federal Ban of Flavored Cigarettes
By
Matt McMillen
WebMD Health News
Reviewed By
Louise Chang, MD
March 30, 2010 — Menthol cigarettes, extended a target of antismoking
advocates, came under federal scrutiny as the FDA convened an advisory panel
today to investigate their potential health risks.
It was the inaugural meeting of the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory
Committee, whose 12 members include health care professionals as well as three
non-voting tobacco industry representatives.
The Family Smoking Prevention as well as Tobacco Control Act, which gave the FDA
the power to regulate tobacco products, was passed in June 2009. In September
2009,
the FDA banned nearly all flavored cigarettes — chocolate, clove, and
cherry, for example.
Menthols, which account for about a quarter of the cigarette market, were an
exception. That may change, depending on what the committee recommends in its
final report, which is due a year from now.
The committee will possess their work incision out for them. Their recommendations
will derive in part from the evidence heard during the course of the two day
meeting. Much of that evidence – presented today by government scientists – was
inconclusive or contradictory.
Menthol Cigarettes: Data Inconclusive
For example, several studies suggest that people who smoke menthols are less
likely to quit than those who smoke normal cigarettes, according to Allison
Johnson of the National Institute of Drug Abuse. But, Johnson as well as stated
that a number of other studies found no such link between menthol cigarettes
and smoking cessation.
“We need best access to data to analyze these trends,” said Johnson.
That was a ordinary refrain throughout the day. The FDA’s Joshua Rising, MD,
MPH, discussed the impact of marketing on the sale as well as consumption of menthol
cigarettes. But due to the limited amount of publicly available research – he
found only three studies on adults as well as none on women as well as adolescents – there
were few conclusions he could offer.
“It’s amazing how little information we possess,” said committee member Jack E.
Henningfield, PhD, vice president of research as well as health policy at Pinney
Associates, a Bethesda, Md.-based health care consulting firm. “There’s got to
be information, as well as we’re going to possess find where it is.”
Their efforts will continue on Wednesday, when the committee will hear from
representatives of the tobacco industry as well as members of the community.
“It will be unfettered discussion,” said committee chairman Jonathan M.
Samet, MD, of the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern
California.
SOURCES: Meeting of the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee, Washington,
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