Saturday, December 5, 2009
Menthol cigarettes are more addictive for African American and Hispanic smokers
African American and Hispanic adults who smoke menthol cigarettes may be less likely to quit smoking than those who smoke regular cigarettes, a new study by researchers at the UMDNJ-School of Public Health has found. The researchers analyzed data from the 2005 National Health Interview Survey and identified 7,815 current and former cigarette smokers who had reported at least one attempt to quit smoking. Just 43.7% of African American adults and 48.1% of Hispanic adults who smoked menthol cigarettes were able to quit smoking. Overall, the researchers noted that non-whites tend to smoke fewer cigarettes per day and are about three times more likely than whites to smoke menthol cigarettes.
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The recent findings from the School of Public Health at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) are not supported by the weight of scientific evidence – which indicates smokers of menthol and non-menthol cigarettes have the same rate of success in quitting smoking.
Indeed, large, well-conducted population studies have found menthol does not modify the addictive properties of cigarettes and do not effect smoking cessation success.
One of the largest studies that focused on the smoking habits of white and African American menthol smokers concluded cigarette mentholation was not associated with continued smoking for either group. In fact, African Americans were less likely than whites to have quit smoking regardless of the brand of cigarette. Also, other studies from smoking cessation clinics indicate a variety of socio-economic factors affect smoking cessation success.
Furthermore, smoking rates among African American youth are dramatically lower than that of other race groups. In partnership with Monitoring the Future, the University of Michigan conducted a survey among 12th graders in 2009 which found that there were substantial differences among white, African American, and Hispanic students who reported using cigarettes within the prior 30 days of the survey.
Specifically this survey found that white 12th graders smoke at more than twice the rate of African American 12th graders – and this disparity (rates that are two- to three-times as high) has existed over the last 20 years.
According to this survey of 12th graders, the percentage breakdown of those who smoke are:
White 23.9%
Hispanic 15.7%
African American 9.8%
Importantly, the current weight of scientific evidence does not support the conclusion that menthol cigarettes confer a greater health risk than non-menthol.
In its passage of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, Congress saw fit to mandate that the FDA rigorously review the valid science concerning menthol cigarettes. To do so, they set in motion a detailed process to evaluate the health effects of menthol and non-menthol cigarettes – a review which will be conducted in 2010 by a Scientific Advisory Committee that the agency is putting together right now. This committee – comprised of representatives from the scientific and medical community, particularly those in the area of tobacco research, as well as tobacco growers and representatives from the tobacco manufacturing industry – will have an important job in front of them. It is important to respect the integrity of this process and the science that underlies it.
Lorillard looks forward to the committee’s review of menthol, and is confident that the process will provide a fair hearing of all sides of an issue that has scientific foundation.
Posted on behalf of Lorillard Tobacco Company
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