US: Wholesalers Say Menthol Ban Would Cost Jobs

Source from:  Tobacco Journal  10/22/2013

Banning menthol cigarettes would cost jobs and drive the product onto an illicit market open to young smokers, the American Wholesale Marketing Association (AWMA) said in a letter to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
 
AWMA submitted its comment in response to a 23 July call by the FDA for public comment on regulating menthol cigarettes, the organisation said. AWMA members represent more than USD 85 billion in annual sales by convenience stores, the association said. About 65 per cent of AWMA member business involves tobacco products, the group said.

"The unintended consequences for excessive regulation or banning of menthol would be the loss of good paying, legal jobs and taxes, exacerbation of underage smoking due to increased availability within illegal avenues in exchange for illegal jobs, loss of tax revenue and a thriving black market," AWMA said. Enditem