Menthol Levels Adjusted To Smokers' Age

Researchers Say Tobacco Companies Adjusted Mentol Levels For Target Demographics

(AP)  Tobacco companies deliberately changed the menthol levels in cigarettes depending upon who they were marketing them to - lower levels for young smokers who preferred the milder brands and higher levels to "lock in lifelong adult smokers," U.S. researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health found.

The researchers reviewed industry documents dating back decades on product development and on strategic plans for menthol products.

They said that the tobacco companies researched how controlling menthol levels could increase sales among specific groups. Milder brands with lower menthol levels appealed to younger smokers. The milder products were then marketed to young consumers.

One document from R.J. Reynolds noted that all three major menthol brands "built their franchise with YAS (younger adult smokers) ... using a low-menthol product strategy. However, as smokers acclimate to menthol, their demand for menthol increases over time."

In 1987, R.J. Reynolds marketed low-level menthol varieties to persuade consumers to switch from regular brands and to recruit new, young smokers, noting: "First-time smoker reaction is generally negative. ... Initial negatives can be alleviated with a low level of menthol."

Philip-Morris USA used a two-prong strategy to increase Marlboro's share in the menthol market by targeting young adults and older smokers, the researchers concluded. Marlboro Milds were introduced nationally in 2000 and became popular among young smokers. The entry of that product coincided with an increase in the menthol level of the regular Marlboro Menthol brand intended for older smokers. The milds were responsible for almost 80 percent of the company's menthol-category growth that year.

"For decades, the tobacco industry has carefully manipulated menthol content not only to lure youth but also to lock in lifelong adult customers," said Howard Koh, a co-author of the paper.

William Phelps, a spokesman for Philip Morris USA, the largest U.S. tobacco company, said the study's conclusions were not supported by the facts cited. He said the study includes excerpts from several marketing documents. None talked about targeting youth or adolescents.

"At our company, our marketing goal is to find way to effectively and responsibly connect brands with adults who smoke," Phelps said. "Those brands are designed to meet the diverse preferences of adults who smoke. What we disagree with are the authors' conclusion that menthol levels were manipulated to gain market share among adolescents."

Greg Connolly, one of the report's co-authors, said the tobacco industry was careful not to talk about adolescents in the documents he reviewed, mostly from the 1980s and 1990s.

"They talk about young smokers. For me, that's just a euphemism for going after adolescent, first-time smokers," Connolly said.

Congress is considering legislation to give the Food and Drug Administration the power to regulate tobacco. And while the bill would ban fruit and candy flavorings, it would allow the continued sale of menthol-flavored brands. That has led to sharp criticism from some smoking control advocates, who argue that menthol lures some people to try cigarettes and helps keep others from trying to quit. The advocates are pressing for an amendment to ban menthol.

But Phelps said that would be a mistake. "We don't believe it's right to ban a particular ingredient because some people prefer the flavor that ingredient provides," he argued.

Philip Morris is the only one of the major tobacco companies supporting FDA regulation, and its backing for the legislation is considered important in gaining passage.

Phelps said the bill, as currently written, would allow the FDA to ban menthol if the agency determines through scientific investigation that the flavoring increases the harm associated with smoking.

Brands marketed as menthol cigarettes make up about 27 percent of the U.S. cigarette market. While overall cigarette sales have declined, sales of menthol cigarettes have been stable in recent years.

[truthislife1]

We''ll die from all the *** in french fries before cigarettes.

[Netterz]

Just another thing the Gov''t wants to control, over the People of America. I understand that there are as many smokers, as non-smokers, that want to have clean air to breathe, but there are far more dangerous things lurking in the air we breathe, than cigarette smoke, that the Gov''t should be monitoring. Landfills, factory output, poisens dumped in our lakes and rivers, toxic waste is everywhere. What is in tobacco, is far less dangerous, than what is n the air and water around you all day, every day, including the wood and various other products used in the things to build your house.

[rwsmith29456]

There is a menthol cig common when I was coming up. I called them "Kruels" because I knew a lot of people that that smoked them who coughed incessantly and often coughed up blood. I''m sure the menthol made for a ''healthier'' cigarette.

[beehive21-2009]

Smoking = idiots, tax them $ 20.00 / pack, idiots why are they always the least educated ? Oh, they''re dummies.

[timothyone-2009]

Another fine example of capitalism at work. Capitalists are by definition cannibalistic;
They''ll eat your child at every opportunity.
Hey, I hear Ligget is hiring!

[gmond]

Old Skool Kools,
how do I smoke thee,
let me count the ashtrays
I smoke thee to the depth and breadth and height
My lungs can reach, when feeling too out of breath
To find the end of nicotine and topol toothpaste.
I smoke thee to the level of every day''s
Most merciless need, lit by bic, sun and candle-light.
I smoke thee freely, as men strive for a light.
I smoke thee purely, as thee turns my teeth gray.
I smoke thee with the same advertising put to use
In my old griefs, using my childhood''s faith.
I smoke thee with a love I seemed to lose
When the cigarette tax kept going up.
I smoke thee with the breath, yellow smiles,
tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,
I shall but smoke thee better after death.

[honestabe8]

At least we''re a DRUG FREE AMERICA (Sarcasm intended, for those who would have missed it)

[willbarefoot]

I lost both of my parents to smoking related illness. For years the tobacco industry claimed their product was safe and that their was no proof that smoking caused either heart disease or cancer. Now they admit that they lied. I don''t understand how any of the executives who were in on this can live with themselves knowing the harm that they have done. There are simply no words to descibe the abominal nature of their deception. To me, they are more evil than hitler.

[sistatee-2009]

When you die from lung cancer, how much menthol do they put in the casket with you?

[beehive21-2009]

The people who smoke cigarettes are addicted,people eating Big Mac, cakes,chocolate are not,how can you equate ? oh, of course your a smoker.