September 18th, 2010
Tobacco World
The watchdog group Center for Regulatory Effectiveness (CRE) today launched an initiative to bring sunlight and transparency to the Food and Drug Administration’s tobacco advisory committee examining the potential regulatory efforts surrounding menthol cigarettes, dissolvable tobacco products and other issues. As to the broader issue of governance, the tobacco advisory committee is an operating arm of FDA, not an ad hoc committee of experts who render advice on select issues assigned by a regulatory agency and as such should be transparent and accountable to the public.
September 8th, 2010
Reason Magazine has produced a video on menthol cigarettes. Dr. Michael Siegel, a leading anti-smoking advocate , states that menthol cigarettes are not a gateway to smoking and points out that tobacco companies add an entire range of flavor additives. Why single out menthol”
Video at http://reason.com/blog/2010/09/08/whats-the-matter-with-menthols
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August 19th, 2010
Many cigarette brands in Australia like Alpine and imported ones like Kool, Virginia Slims and Salem may been banned if the U. S. bans the use of heavy menthol in cigarettes.
A panel is already reviewing evidence if menthol is harmful and makes smoking more addictive. Health experts and anti-tobacco campaigners stress that menthol is addictive and encourages young people to start smoking.
The Food and Drug Administration has been given sweeping powers by the U. S. Congress to regulate tobacco and ban additives, which it considers harmful for health.
