Menthol cigarette curbs bring up major race issue in the US
Menthol-flavoured cigarettes most likely pose a greater health risk than regular cigarettes, according to the US Food and Drug Administration.
Newports: 80% of black smokers prefer them
Now it is considering regulatory action to restrict sales, a new blow to the already shackled tobacco industry.
A ban would be a huge problem - with racial overtones :About 80% of black U.S. smokers prefer the flavouring, according to government figures.
The data does NOT show that menthol cigarettes are more toxic or increase the risk of smoking-related diseases compared with regular cigarettes,says the Wall Street Journal.
The problem is that the flavouring increases smokers' addiction - and makes it harder to quit.
The FDA concluded that the mint-flavored menthol in cigarettes is "likely associated with greater addiction," and menthol smokers "show greater signs of nicotine dependence and are less likely to successfully quit smoking."
The FDA regulates cigarettes, including menthol-flavored ones, as part of a 2009 law. It banned all flavouring in cigarettes except menthol, but the FDA's tobacco-products advisory committee was ordered to look at that particular issue.
In 2011, the committee said removing menthol from cigarettes would benefit public health - but made no proposals.
Lorillard sell the leading menthol brand, Newport, and gets 90% of its sales from menthol cigarettes. Larger rivals, Altria Group and Reynolds American, also sell menthol products but not in the same volume.
Lorillard's shares were down 4.3% at $44.16 on the New York Stock Exchange.
With total U.S. retail sales of about $25 billion, menthol cigarettes are a big source of tax revenue.
Lorillard Chief Executive Murray Kessler said in a statement, "It is Lorillard's long-held belief that the best available science demonstrates that menthol cigarettes have the same health effects as non-menthol cigarettes and should be treated no differently."
The FDA said that data "suggest that menthol use is likely associated with increased smoking initiation by youth and young adults - possibly because menthol helps reduce the harshness of cigarette smoke."
The issue of what to do about menthol is controversial. As stated, Menthol cigarettes are preferred among African-American smokers with about 80% of black U.S. smokers preferring the flavour.
About 30% of U.S. adults smoke menthol-flavored cigarettes, and more than 40% of youth smokers do.
The agency has issued a formal notice seeking public comment ron " the potential regulation of menthol in cigarettes."
Options include limits on the amount of menthol allowed , restrictions on marketing or advertising, or an outright ban on using menthol.
The Wall Street Journal said any changes were likely years away.
The FDA said a study will look at genetic differences in taste perceptions which might explain why certain racial and ethnic groups are more likely to use menthol-flavored cigarettes.
Industry opponents say a ban would spark a massive under-the-counter market.
Earlier this month, a committee in the European Parliament approved a plan to ban menthol and other flavoured cigarettes. But that ban could also take years.