National Association of Tobacco Outlets
February 03, 2012
The FDA announced last week that the Center for Tobacco Products has independently reviewed all available scientific data on the impact of the use of menthol in cigarettes on the public health and has drafted a report.
This independent review covered the report and recommendations of the FDA’s Tobacco Product Scientific Advisory Committee (a group composed of twelve individuals nine of whom are from the scientific and health fields and three representatives from the tobacco industry) as well as a separate industry report from the three tobacco representatives and industry manufacturers. The FDA’s report was then submitted to scientists outside of the FDA for “peer review” and the agency is revising its final report based on feedback from these peer review scientists.
When the FDA finalizes its report, the report will be published in the Federal Register and the public will be asked to submit additional comments and data on the final report. Based on any additional public comments, the FDA will then decide whether to take any regulatory action related to menthol in cigarettes