June 27, 2011 - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is conducting an independent review of research on the public health impact of menthol cigarettes. The review comes after the FDA received a report from the in March from the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee, which stated that removing menthol cigarettes from the market would benefit public health because the minty flavoring has led to an increase in smokers—particularly among teens, African Americans, and low income populations. About 19 million Americans smoke menthol cigarettes, and there is evidence that suggests that consumers perceive menthols to offer more protection or medicinal benefit that non-menthol cigarettes lack.  The report concluded that more research is needed and the federal agency should develop a program to monitor the marketing of menthol cigarettes. Members of the FDA Center for Tobacco Control Products plan to gather menthol studies and then submit a review to an external peer review panel. The process is expected to be completed this fall, and the results of the review will be available for public comment.

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