Black Cigarette Expose Prompts FDA Action
RICHMOND, VA - Just days after Black Radio Network featured a new Stanford University School of Medicine study revealing questionable advertising tactics of menthol cigarettes in black neighborhoods, the Food and Drug Administration(FDA) announced it is conducting an independent review of research on the public health impact of menthol cigarettes.
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The federal agency gave an update on its review of an advisory panel report today on the minty smokes, one of the few growth sectors of the shrinking cigarette business.
The report said removing menthol cigarettes from the market would benefit public health because the flavoring has led to an increase in smokers—— particularly among teens, African Americans, and those with low incomes.
It also said that the flavorings make it harder to quit smoking. The report went on to say menthol smokers are not likely to be at a higher risk of disease or exposed to a greater number of toxins.
