Menthol cigarettes are flavored with the compound menthol, a substance which triggers the cold-sensitive nerves in the skin without actually dropping the body’s core temperature.
A Food and Drug Administration released its recent review that concluded that menthol cigarettes likely pose a greater public health risk than regular cigarettes. However, they did say say it may will lead to a limit or ban the minty smokes.
In the 153 page conclusion of the review, the FDA stated that their evaluation concluded that there is little evidence to suggest that menthol cigarettes are more or less toxic or contribute to more disease risk to smokers than regular cigarettes. Yet, there is adequate data to suggest that menthol use is likely associated with increased smoking initiation by younger people and that menthol smokers have a harder time quitting.
Would a lack of a ban mean that the government doesn’t care about the health of the population?
FDA officials are soliciting the opinions of the public for two months before they make a decision on how to proceed with the data collected.
African Americans and teens make up 80 percent of those who purchase and smoke menthol cigarettes.
What do the makers of the cigarettes have to say about this?
Cigarette maker Philip Morris USA submitted its own report to the FDA, saying its scientific review had shown that restricting the use of menthol in cigarettes was “neither necessary nor justified.” Another report by R.J. Reynolds Tobacco and Lorillard Tobacco, makers of Newport cigarettes, the country has most purchased and smoked menthol cigarettes, warned of grave consequences if the government banned menthol.
How do you feel about the government prohibiting the sale of menthol cigarettes?
