RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- A Food and Drug Administration advisory panel says menthol cigarettes hurt public health and offer no benefits.
It was unclear whether the panel is recommending an outright ban, but it says removal of menthol cigarettes would benefit public health.
The agency's Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee on Friday said the minty smokes make it more likely for certain groups including youth and African Americans to experiment with smoking and make it harder for them to quit. It also said menthol cigarettes increase the prevalence of smoking.
Many panels advise the FDA on scientific issues. The agency doesn't have to follow their recommendations but usually does.
It was unclear whether the panel is recommending an outright ban, but it says removal of menthol cigarettes would benefit public health.
The agency's Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee on Friday said the minty smokes make it more likely for certain groups including youth and African Americans to experiment with smoking and make it harder for them to quit. It also said menthol cigarettes increase the prevalence of smoking.
Many panels advise the FDA on scientific issues. The agency doesn't have to follow their recommendations but usually does.