Lorillard Confident About Outcome Menthol Study

Source from:  Tobacco Reporter 03/04/2010

Lorillard Tobacco Co. believes a serious examination of menthol cigarettes will reveal no differing health risk as compared with non-menthol products, and a comparable smoking cessation rate. The company said so in response to yesterday's announcement by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration about the voting membership of the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee (TPSAC). "Ever since Congress, in a carefully constructed bill, authorized the FDA to regulate cigarettes and other tobacco products, we have been anticipating the appointment of this panel," Lorillard wrote. "While the scientific advisory committee will be looking at many aspects of regulation, one major challenge will be for committee members to remain focused on an objective analysis of the science surrounding menthol. We look forward to a fair hearing grounded in good science that advances public policy." Lorillard is market leader in the U.S. menthol segment. Its flagship Newport brand is the country's top selling menthol and second largest selling cigarette. Enditem